While cases and hospitalizations remain low in Polk County, Drake University continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 on our campus.

Moving forward, the University will make the following changes to its COVID-19 response plan:

Contact tracing: The University will continue to notify contacts of exposure through the spring semester. Based on a low rate of contacts testing positive for COVID-19, contacts will no longer be asked to quarantine.

Free COVID-19 testing: Test kits will continue to be available in the Student Services Center in Olmsted and through local pharmacy retailers such as Walgreens and Hy-Vee. Free at-home antigen COVID-19 tests are also available through the federal government by request at covid.gov/tests.

Campus COVID-19 case numbers will continue to be posted weekly on the University’s COVID website through spring commencement.

Mask policy: If Polk County moves into the CDC high risk designation, or if we experience an outbreak on our campus, the University will reinstate a mask mandate in all campus buildings.

The University will remain vigilant in monitoring changes to the ongoing pandemic and reassess its actions as necessary.