Throughout Fall Semester, Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley is providing regular email update messages to keep students and parents informed about the efforts for a healthy semester.
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
Summary of updates in this message
- Status update on campus and in Alamance County
- Walk-up symptomatic testing available at Student Health Services
- Guidance for quarantine, isolation, and close contacts
- October 29 deadline for student flu vaccination requirement
Status Update
- 41 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed among Elon students and employees from August 30 through September 5.
- The dashboard on the Healthy Elon website is updated weekly on Monday mornings.
- All North Carolina counties remain in the high community transmission category.
- The CDC and state health officials strongly recommend wearing masks in public indoor settings, including stores, restaurants, and other businesses.
Walk-Up Symptomatic Testing Now Available at Student Health Services
- Student Health Services has experienced a number of appointment requests from students who are experiencing upper respiratory symptoms (congestion or runny nose, cough, sore throat). Most students have tested negative for COVID-19 and are experiencing other viruses or allergies that are common at this time of year, although some have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
- To more effectively serve students who are concerned whether their symptoms are indicative of COVID-19, walk-in testing is now available at Student Health Services (Ellington Center) for symptomatic students. The days and times are:
- Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m. until noon and 1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. until noon and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Wait times and testing capacity may vary depending on demand.
- Students who develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should isolate until they can be tested as soon as possible after their symptoms develop.
- Students who wish to be seen by a medical provider for an evaluation should visit the Student Health Services website to make a standard appointment. Students may be referred for a next-day appointment.
Additional information about testing resources for students, faculty, and staff – including on-campus testing information and resources for finding an off-campus testing site or free at-home testing in North Carolina – are available on the Testing page of the Healthy Elon website.
Guidance for Quarantine, Isolation, and Close Contacts
Those who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 and test positive for COVID-19 with an antigen test may be given a PCR test to confirm presence of the virus, and will be advised to isolate pending the outcome of the PCR test. Those with a negative PCR test result will be released from isolation; those with a positive PCR result will be required by the county health department to undergo a period of isolation. Those who have symptoms of COVID-19 and test positive for COVID-19 with an antigen test are considered positive and do not need a PCR test. They will be required to undergo a period of isolation.
- Students: Student Care & Outreach, Residence Life and Student Health Services will coordinate care, housing, and health precautions after a positive test. Report positive off-campus tests to Student Care & Outreach by emailing quarantine-support@elon.edu.
- Employees: Contact the Office of Human Resources at 336-278-5560 for guidance and to report positive test results. For faculty and staff, primary care providers and the county health department will direct the isolation/quarantine process. Human Resources will also assist faculty and staff members through the process.
You are considered a close contact if you have been within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for 15 minutes in a 24 hour period (cumulatively) or have been exposed to respiratory secretions of a person with COVID-19.
- Vaccinated individuals who have been a close contact with a positive case but do not have symptoms are not directed to quarantine but are required to mask and monitor symptoms for 14 days.
- Unvaccinated individuals who have been a close contact with a positive case will be required to quarantine for up to 14 days after last contact as determined by a health care professional and guidelines from health officials, and should consult with their primary care provider.
Students with questions about quarantine, isolation, or close contact guidance should contact Student Care & Outreach by emailing quarantine-support@elon.edu. Employees with such questions should contact the Office of Human Resources at 336-278-5560.
October 29 Deadline for Student Flu Vaccination
Yesterday students were notified that October 29 has been set as the deadline for all students to receive their annual flu vaccination or have an approved exemption. Information about the student flu vaccine requirement is available here on the Healthy Elon website, and a number of student flu vaccine clinics have been scheduled for the next several weeks.
Employees who wish to schedule a flu vaccine appointment on-campus should visit the Faculty/Staff Wellness Clinic website for information and appointments.
The next email update will be sent by Wednesday, September 15, at 10:45 a.m., unless an additional message is warranted before then. Additional information is always available on the Healthy Elon website at: www.elon.edu/healthyelon.
—
Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life