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Protecting Yourself and Others
Know the Facts
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
Individuals with certain conditions may have a higher risk for COVID-19 infection. These conditions include:
- Age 65 years and older
- Asthma (moderate to severe)
- Chronic lung disease
- Diabetes
- Serious heart condition
- Chronic kidney disease being treated with dialysis
- Severe obesity
- Immunocompromised
- Pregnancy (while pregnant people seem to have the same risk as adults who are not pregnant, pregnancy can create changes that may increase the risk of some infections)
Self-Monitoring and Symptoms of COVID-19
All members of the Immaculata community should consider the health and safety of each other and themselves. Therefore, there are a few basic principles of self-monitoring that are expected for those individuals coming to campus, whether they are faculty, staff, students, visitors, or contractors. You must self-monitor and acknowledge that you are not aware that you have signs and/or symptoms of COVID-19 before coming to campus each day. According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever in excess of 100 degrees
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
This list does not include all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 symptoms, check the CDC’s website. By coming to campus, an individual is acknowledging that they have completed the self-monitoring requirements earlier that day and confirmed that they do not have signs/symptoms of COVID-19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals with certain conditions may have a higher risk for COVID-19 infection. Those conditions may include age or underlying medical conditions. Any individual who is immunocompromised or has concerns about returning to working onsite due to a condition that places them at a higher risk should contact human resources or the Bruder Center.
Temperature Checks
At this time, Immaculata University will not conduct daily temperature checks of faculty and staff at work locations. You are asked to self-monitor by taking your own temperature each day before reporting to work. The University may conduct random temperature checks at various work locations as a part of a larger surveillance strategy.
What if Symptoms Develop
If any symptoms develop, you must:
- Stay home. (Do not report to work if you are sick; if you become ill while at work, go home immediately.) Faculty and staff can use accrued leave for this purpose.
- Immediately inform your supervisor, dean, program head, or department chair.
What if I test positive for COVID-19
- If an employee receives a notification of a positive test they should immediately notify Claudine Vita, Executive Director of Human Resources, ex: 3077.
- Students who test positive or receive a clinical diagnosis for COVID-19 should immediately notify, Elise Girard, Director of Student Health Services, ex: 3500
Contact Tracing
Contact tracing is a strategy in which public health officials work with a patient to help them recall everyone with whom they have had close contact during the timeframe while they may have been infectious. The state will be responsible for all contact tracing on campus and the University will assist as much as possible.
Essential Campus Practices
Washing Hands
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer stations throughout the university. It is also expected that each student, faculty member and staff have their own supply of hand sanitizer. that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Social Distancing
Because people can spread the virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay away from others whenever possible, even if you have no symptoms. Physical distancing is especially important for people who are at higher risk. Individuals on campus should follow these physical distancing practices:
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people
- Do not gather in groups
- Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings
Facemasks/Coverings
COVID-19 could be spread to others even by individuals who do not feel sick. Therefore, facemasks/coverings (e.g., disposable masks or cloth face coverings) must be worn by all individuals on campus at all times in public settings (e.g., common workspaces, public spaces, hallways, stairwells, elevators, meeting rooms, classrooms, break-rooms, campus outdoor spaces, restrooms, etc.). Appropriate use of face masks/coverings is important in minimizing risks to the wearers and those around them.
While the university will have a supply of facemasks for needed distribution, it is required that all students, faculty, and staff supply their own facemask/covering.
- The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others.
- The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing
Face Covering Types, Usage, and Cleaning | ||
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Type | Cloth Face Covering | Disposable Mask |
Description | Home-made or commercially manufactured face coverings that are washable and help contain wearer’s respiratory emissions | Commercially manufactured masks help contain wearer’s respiratory emissions |
Intended Use | Required for campus community use in all settings (common workspaces, public spaces, hallways, stairwells, elevators, meeting rooms, classrooms, breakrooms, campus outdoor spaces, in restrooms, etc.) Not required when working alone. | |
Care |
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Putting on/Taking off |
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Cover coughs and sneezes
- If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
The university has implemented a rigorous cleaning regiment for all common areas on the campus. Housekeeping will continue to clean offices and workspaces, classrooms and public spaces based on protocols developed with CDC guidance in mind, and additional care to wipe down commonly used surfaces after use has been implemented.
To the best of your ability, you should clear desk and table surfaces in personal offices and workstations to aid in thorough cleaning. Using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is also effective after contacting commonly used surfaces.
Gloves
It is not necessary to wear gloves for general use throughout the campus. Gloves should not replace good hand hygiene.
Goggles/Face Shields
Individuals are not required to wear goggles or face shields as part of general activity on campus.
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