Campus Message - March 11, 2020

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11 March 2020

Valdosta State University will remain open and courses will continue to meet as scheduled. The overall risk of COVID-19 to faculty, staff and students at Valdosta State University remains low.

Spring Break is quickly approaching, and whatever your plans for this well-deserved break, we want everyone to return to VSU on March 23 safe, healthy, and ready to finish the semester. For all students, faculty, and staff, if you are traveling in any capacity (either domestically or internationally) – on personal travel or organized through VSU – we encourage you to register your travel information. A travel form will be available when you log into MyVSU beginning Friday.  

Check your travel information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Department of State websites, and talk with your travel companions to make a wise decision about travel plans. The CDC strongly advises that you should not travel to a location with a Level 3 or higher Travel Health Notice.

The best prevention measures for any respiratory virus, including COVID-19 are: 

  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

While we understand the concerns and fear around COVID-19, it is extremely important that the campus community stay calm and not panic. The symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Most cases of COVID-19 are mild with symptoms similar to a cold. 

If you have recently traveled to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 and develop fever with cough and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, or if you have had contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19, stay home and call your health care provider or local health department right away. Be sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

REPORT HEALTH CONCERNS

Key term: Close Contact - this is defined as being within six (6) feet of an individual for more than 15 minutes regardless of whether a face covering is worn.  

EMPLOYEES DO NOT come on campus if you believe you have been in close contact with a person having COVID or yourself having symptoms or receiving a positive diagnosis. Instead, notify your supervisor of your absence, seek medical services from your primary care provider, and self-report your information by completing the online form or contacting HR directly at 229-333-5709. 

STUDENTS DO NOT come on campus nor go directly to the Student Health Center if you believe you have been exposed to COVID. Instead, call the Health Services at 229-333-5886 to speak with a triage nurse over the phone. Additional guidance will be provided on how to access the health center facility. The health center remains open for walk-in patients with non-COVID medical needs. 

Members of the campus community should report all instances of close contact with a person having COVID or themselves receiving a positive diagnosis of COVID.  To assist with reporting, a COVID Self Reporting link has been added within MyVSU.  

 

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If you have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine, you should do so at your permanent home for the period given unless it should be extended due to remaining symptoms. 

Report a Social Distance Concern