Coronavirus and Spring Break Student Health Advisory - FAQs
Dear RWU Community,
The attached Advisory in advance of Spring break is most applicable to undergraduate students commuting to the Bristol campus, living locally independently, or living in University housing. The advisory and Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) list is sent on behalf of the Emergency Response Team and also provides important information for University College students in Providence, School of Law and other Graduate students as well as faculty and staff in all locations. Additional Advisories will be shared on a regular basis.
It will be posted on the Health Services site under Health Advisories tomorrow morning: https://www.rwu.edu/undergraduate/student-life/health-and-counseling/health-services/health-advisories
Students are strongly encouraged to forward this and all advisories to their family members and emergency contacts.
Contact information for additional questions is listed within the Advisory.
Take Care and Stay Well,
RWU Emergency Response Team
SPRING BREAK HEALTH ADVISORY AND FAQs
With Spring Break starting on Friday most students will be returning home to their communities or traveling. Monday’s advisory from President Miaoulis strongly recommended that students not travel internationally and there are important reasons for that – including the possibility that students may not be able to return to the United States. It is not only international travel that poses risk; currently the number of U.S. infections remains low but is expected to increase over the weeks ahead. Students have been asking questions about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), how best to protect themselves, and some “what If” scenarios that we will address in this advisory before break begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Coronavirus and how is it transmitted?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe respiratory illnesses. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain that had not been identified previously in humans. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person coughing and sneezing on somebody within 6 feet range (close contact), by touching an infected person's hands or face, or by touching an object or surface that an infected person has touched. Symptoms may appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure.
What are the signs that you are sick?
Some symptoms of COVID-19 infection are similar to Influenza such as fever, cough and body aches. Additional specific symptoms often include shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. In more severe cases, the virus can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory illness, kidney failure, and death. However, it is important to note that healthy young people are significantly less likely to become seriously ill compared to older adults.
How can I best protect myself and friends from infection? Standard measures to protect yourself and reduce the spread of the virus include: frequent hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. In addition to hand washing, disinfecting hands using hand sanitizer gel containing at least 60% alcohol and using Clorox or equivalent bleach wipes to wipe down surfaces and seat handles is effective. Protect your immune system with proper rest, exercise and nutrition habits.
Is there a vaccine or treatment available?
Not currently. There is a vaccine in early development and an antiviral treatment is being tested in China and the United States.
I have decided to travel out of the country despite the warning – can I be tested when I return to campus to make sure I didn’t come in contact with the virus?
No. Testing will be reserved for individuals who are ill. The R.I. Dept. of Health (DOH) is in the beginning stages of providing test kits to University health centers and Primary Physician offices and guiding, when authorized, those health care providers to collect specimens to send out for testing. Testing will be done at local hospital emergency rooms for individuals who have symptoms and meet other screening criteria until we update you otherwise. Individuals who suspect they may be infected are asked to contact their primary health care providers or Health Services at RWU by phone for screening before going to a health care facility.
Will Health Services staff be available by phone over the break for consults?
Yes, Health Services will be available from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday next week. In addition, we will have 2 Nurse Practitioners available by phone for Triage consultation and referrals on Sunday, March 15th from 11 am to 3 pm. To reach Health Services, please dial (401) 254-3156.
Before returning to campus, if I experience flu like symptoms, what should I do before returning to campus to make sure I don’t have Coronavirus?
If you are in your home community contact your primary care physician’s office and ask to be screened for COVID-19. You may also access RWU Health Services by phone as described above. Stay at home until you have been properly diagnosed and advised of any restrictions or precautions.
Once back on campus from break, if I think I might have the Coronavirus, should I go to RWU Health Services or to a primary care provider’s office or hospital?
While other states may provide different guidance, the DOH in R.I. is requesting patients that suspect they may be infected by COVID-19 to not enter health care settings and risk infecting others. Instead, stay in your residence and call Health Services or your primary care provider for screening and if deemed appropriate by a medical professional – a referral location and procedure for testing will be provided. Note – other states may have different procedures and the above guidance is subject to change.
What If a student becomes ill with COVID 19 and needs to be quarantined?
The University would consult with and follow guidance from the RI Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control in determining whether a student should go home or be quarantined on campus. Home country or state as well as the condition of infected individuals will be considered in decision-making. Students that have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID 19 will also need to be quarantined either at home or on campus and monitored for symptoms.
What will happen with my classes if I need to be quarantined?
As always, the health of our students and other community members is paramount. Should a student need to be quarantined or becomes ill with COVID 19, they will be asked to contact the Center for Student Academic Success to gain assistance with determining an academic plan. Allison Chase Padula, Associate Dean of Student Success, has been designated as the contact for students and their families for academic issues related to the virus. Dean Chase Padula will work with the student and faculty to develop individual plans to facilitate completion of coursework or explore other options, including a medical leave of absence (working with Student Life). This process does not differ significantly with how the University currently handles situations that require students to be out of class due to medical emergencies.
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In closing, it is important for students to read and understand the above information, make informed decisions whether traveling or at home, and reduce their risk for infection. Information about COVID-19 is still unfolding and constantly under review. However, at this time the risk remains low both regionally and nationally and health officials are constantly monitoring the situation and advising care providers. We have no reported cases on campus. The RWU Emergency Response Team will continue meeting weekly and regularly updating and advising students, faculty and staff about COVID 19 developments and action steps on campus.
Anne M. Mitchell, MSN, FNP John J. King, ED.D.
Director of Health Services Vice President for Student Life
(401) 254-3207 (401) 254-3093
amitchell@rwu.edu jjking@rwu.edu