COVID-19 Updates
January 9, 2023
As we begin the spring semester, the Coronavirus Response Task Force offers the following reminders to help you have a happy, healthy new year:
How we support students affected by infectious illness like Flu & COVID-19:
-Students who test positive for either virus will receive a “statement of support” for short-term academic flexibility to give to their instructors. If they test at the Malone Student Health Center (SHC), the Center for Student Success and Office of Student Development will automatically receive this statement. Students who test positive at other testing facilities can work with the Center for Student Success to acquire the statement of support.
-The Center for Student Success will reach out directly to instructors if a student with an infectious illness (like COVID-19 or influenza) requires an accommodation.
-Free Covid-19 Rapid result tests will continue to be available in the SHC for spring semester.
if you test positive for COVID-19:
-Please stay home for at least 5 days after symptom onset and isolate yourself from others in your home. You are most likely infectious to others during these first 5 days. If, after 5 days, you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the help of fever-reducing medication like Tylenol or Advil), your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after Day 5.
-On Day 6 (since symptom onset), you may return to campus activities by wearing a mask (when you must be around others both at home and in public), if your symptoms continue to improve. Continue to monitor and manage symptoms and always wear a high quality mask through Day 10 when you’re around others and in public, indoor spaces.
-Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get sick from COVID-19 until at least Day 11.
if you Are exposed to COVID-19:
-Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
-If you develop symptoms, stay home.
-Even if you do not develop symptoms, test after 5 full days, unless you have tested positive for COVID-19 in last 3 months.
Other helpful notes:
-If you teach a class in-person and a student informs you they have a contagious illness (such as COVID-19 or the flu), the first course of action is to have them contact the Malone Student Health Center (SHC) directly at (330) 471-8340 for support and next steps. Faculty and staff should not share a student’s private medical information with others.
-Free face masks continue to be available for students, faculty, and staff at the SHC.
-On-campus vaccination clinics for easy access to a variety of vaccines will be available in January & February 2023 as interest continues.
Health care providers recommend that campus community members who reside together and interact with each other in institutional settings, including classroom settings and residential spaces (homes & residence halls), are encouraged to keep up-to-date with vaccinations in order to lower the rate of disease and to lessen the disruption of routine activities. Vaccinations also prevent complications from disease and provide increased immunity at a much lesser risk. Respiratory virus circulates at much higher levels in the winter, no matter where you live and even if you are considered a low health risk, you do not want to be the one that transmits illness to another, more vulnerable, person.
Vaccinations recommended for college students by the Ohio Department of Health:
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
Human Pap Virus (HPV)
Influenza (Flu)
Meningococcal Disease (Meningitis)
Tetanus and Pertussis (Tdap)
COVID-19