Guidance and Protocols for COVID-19

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is increasing over time. Consistent with CDC guidance on returning travelers from China and other impacted countries, local health departments are communicating with travelers returning from certain areas to provide guidance about limiting public interactions for 14 days.

Guidance for students, faculty and staff returning to a college or university setting is the same as for other travelers.

In the event that a student, faculty or staff member is identified with symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever and cough AND traveled from China or other impacted countries in the prior 14 days, the following steps should be taken:

  • The person should be medically evaluated as soon as possible.
    • When possible, call ahead to the facility (clinic, doctor’s office, hospital, etc.) to provide advance notice of the situation.
  • Separate the individual from others as much as possible until evaluation has occurred.
    • If residing in a residence hall, make arrangements to be placed into a single room with a private bathroom.
  • Contact local health department immediately.

If a student, faculty or staff member with recent travel to China or other impacted countries or recent exposure to someone with confirmed COVID-19 infection becomes ill with symptoms of COVID-19 infection, they should be medically evaluated as soon as possible and encouraged not to come to school or work until evaluation has occurred.

If a student, faculty or staff member with recent travel to China or other impacted countries or recent exposure to someone with confirmed COVID-19 infection becomes ill at school or work, the person should be provided a mask and isolated in a private room until they can seek care. The ill person should not take public transportation (e.g., subway, bus, taxi, ride share). If emergency transport is needed, notify EMS that the ill person could have COVID-19 infection based on symptoms and possible exposure.

If COVID-19 testing is pursued, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recommends that close contacts monitor themselves for symptoms, while testing is being conducted. Local health departments can work with the University or other entities to help identify close contacts.

  • Close contacts should do the following.
    • Monitor for symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, etc.) for 14 days since last contact with the person.
    • Take their temperature twice a day.
    • Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop and let them know about their close contact with someone who is being evaluated for COVID-19 infection.
    • Whenever possible, call ahead before seeing a healthcare provider.
    • A close contact is defined as being within approximately six feet (two meters) or within the room of a COVID-19 patient under investigation for a prolonged period of time.
    • Close contact can include caring for, living with, visiting or sharing a room with a COVID-19 patient under investigation.
    • Household and intimate contacts are always considered close contacts.
    • See CDC’s updated Interim Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19.

At this time, there are currently no vaccines or therapeutics for COVID-19.  Clinical trials are underway within China and the U.S.

Posted on March 2, 2020