Today: Mar 29, 2024

Covid-19 Procedures put in place

Abby Epstein News Editor

Two positive COVID-19 tests have been detected since the campus reopened and welcomed students back.

Both people with positive results were put into isolation immediately following the school’s COVID-19 procedure.

One of the positive cases was a resident advisor in North Campus Midrise. Due to being exposed to the positive case, all other RA’s were forced into quarantine.

“We will be doing random testing of residential students every week, like five to 10 percent and student athletes will start being randomly tested later this semester,” said Emily Rosenthal Wellness Center Coordinator who is also in charge of contact tracing.

Before coming to campus, residential students were required to have a negative COVID-19 test prior to being able to move into their dorm.

Some students were asked to move in two weeks early in order to quarantine if they were coming from a state that was listed on the Connecticut travel advisory list. However, prior to being quarantined students were required to have a negative COVID-19 test.

“Quarantine wasn’t too bad, although I feel they could have handled it a little different, like by testing us once we got to campus that way we wouldn’t have to quarantine for so long when we were negative,” said exercise science major major Sam Bryant, a freshman.

For the first seven days being on campus residents were required to fill out a symptom tracker. The tracker requires them to indicate if they have had close contact with someone who has tested positive with COVID-19 and if they have any symptoms.

“Students who are asked to quarantine or students who are asked to isolate, the complete a different symptom monitor everyday,” said Rosenthal.

If any students test positive during the randomize testing selection Griffin Health who has partnered with the university, will notify the student and the COVID-19 campus coordinator.

“If someone does test positive, they are required to isolate for the minimum of ten days,” said Rosenthal.

According to Rosenthal, in order to do contact tracing she has to them get in contact with the positive person.

“Contact tracing is when I contact that person and I find out what they have been up to,” said Rosenthal.

“Basically, we want to find all their close contacts two days prior to symptom onset or two days prior to their positive test results.”

Close contact is someone who has been within six feet of the confirmed case for 15 minutes or more.

“I contact all those people who are affiliated with Southern. so students, faculty or staff and let them know they have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19. Then we ask those people to quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure with the confirmed case,” said Rosenthal.

The North Campus Townhouses are currently being used for resident students who are required to be quarantined or isolated.

“They are welcome to quarantine or isolate at home if they wish, but if they are not able to, we provide them with a place on campus,” said Rosenthal. 

If someone is feeling sick or feels like they have symptoms, they can get tested at the health center on campus.  

“We do ask that everyone does a daily self-screening which was sent out in an email with information about containment policy and a short video with a lot of good information also,” said Rosenthal. 

The email was sent out on behalf of Patrick Dilger on Aug. 28, informing students about who to reach out to about COVID-19. There is also a link that gives examples of different scenarios and what to do in each of those scenarios.

“Everyone should always be checking for symptoms,” said Rosenthal. “We do not want people coming to campus if they are not feeling well.” 

Photo Credit: Abby Epstein

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