Staying healthy on campus this fall
As we welcome students, faculty and staff back to the Whitewater and Rock County campuses, the Campus Health Advisory Group would like to remind all Warhawks to take measures to ensure we keep ourselves and one another as healthy as possible.
University Health and Counseling Services regularly monitors diseases that can impact campus, including meningitis, measles, influenza, COVID-19 and monkeypox. You can help by being vaccinated, performing good hand hygiene and staying home when you are sick.
Influenza
Being vaccinated is an important step in keeping healthy. Free flu shots will be available for students starting at the end of September, and a free flu vaccine clinic for staff and faculty will take place on Oct. 26. Detailed information will be communicated in a separate email later this month.
Monkeypox
We continue to monitor monkeypox in the region along with our local health departments and the Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services. At this time, monkeypox does not pose a high risk to our campus, but the university will adjust if conditions change. If anyone has a concern, please contact UHCS at 262-472-1362 for an appointment with a provider.
COVID-19
As you return to campus, keep these tips in mind.
- Continue the practice of good handwashing and stay home when you are sick. This is the best way to combat any contagious illness — including COVID-19.
- Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, which can be found at local pharmacies.
- Have some high-quality masks on hand; while masking is not required on campus, the CDC advises masks for 10 days for all those who test positive or have been exposed to COVID-19. Staff, faculty and students are able to obtain free KN95 masks from UHCS or Police Services.
- Students, staff and faculty are able to obtain free COVID-19 home tests from UHCS by showing their ID.
If you are a student, planning is essential. Have an open discussion with your roommates about what you will do if someone tests positive. Note that campus has very limited temporary housing for those who live in our residence halls. And always keep your instructors fully informed if you are not able to make it to class due to illness.
Here are steps to take if you are exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19 or you test positive yourself.
Students
If you test positive for COVID-19
- Where to stay, and for how long: You need to isolate yourself for 5 days and wear a mask at all times when around others. You have the option to isolate in place in your room, to return home or to stay off campus. After 5 days, if your symptoms have improved and you have had no fever for at least 24 hours, you can come out of isolation, but will still need to wear a mask for 5 more days around others.
- Dining: Since you have to wear a mask when around others, you should NOT be eating with anyone for the entire 10 days, as you would have to remove your mask.
- Other action steps: Inform your supervisor, instructors and any close contacts. If you have any issues with symptoms, contact UHCS or your primary care provider for an appointment.
If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19
- Where to stay, and for how long: You can stay where you are, even if your roommate is positive for COVID-19. You will need to wear a mask for 10 days around others. The CDC recommends that you test yourself if you start having symptoms or at 5 days after the contact. If you have a health condition that puts you at high risk and you are sharing a hall room with someone who has tested positive, please call the COVID-19 hotline at 262-472-1362 to explore options.
- Dining: You can go to dining halls to get food, but you should not be eating with anyone as you should not take your mask off around others for 10 days.
- Other action steps: Wear a mask when you are around others — including in class or during athletics.
Faculty and staff
If you test positive for COVID-19
- Where to stay, and for how long: You need to isolate yourself for 5 days and wear a mask at all times when around others. After 5 days, if your symptoms have improved and you have had no fever for at least 24 hours, you can come out of isolation, but will still need to wear a mask for 5 more days around others.
- Dining: Since you have to wear a mask when around others, you should NOT be eating with anyone for the entire 10 days, as you would have to remove your mask.
- Other action steps: Inform your supervisor and any close contacts. If you have any issues with symptoms, contact your primary care provider for an appointment.
If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19
- Where to stay, and for how long: You will need to wear a mask for 10 days around others. The CDC recommends that you test yourself if you start having symptoms or at 5 days after the contact.
- Dining: You can go get food, but you should not be eating with anyone as you should not take your mask off around others for 10 days.
- Other action steps: Wear a mask when you are around others.
We look forward to a great year on campus. Thank you for your continued diligence in helping us keep our campus safe and healthy!
—The Campus Health Advisory Group
Additional resources
CDC quarantine/Isolation calculator
Jefferson County testing information and vaccine information
Rock County testing information and vaccine information
Walworth County testing information and vaccine information. Note that the Whitewater Walgreens provides both COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.