College closely monitoring students, faculty and staff symptoms

September 9, 2020
COVID Updates

Monday, March 9, 2020 Advisory

Student and employee wellness is our top priority in preventing, mitigating and managing exposure and viral infections including COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the flu. North Carolina Wesleyan University is working closely with the Nash County (NC) Health Department to monitor and prepare according to guidelines and directives by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). At this time, the College will continue normal operations but will be closely monitoring students, faculty and staff symptoms as well as travel information self-reports.

What do we know about COVID-19?

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a viral illness. It currently has no vaccine and no FDA approved treatment.
  • About 80% of patients who contract Coronavirus will have symptoms similar to a regular cold that will resolve without treatment.
  • In a small percentage of patients, serious breathing problems can develop. This is most common in older patients or those with pre-existing health conditions.
  • Coronavirus is most commonly spread through close contact (within about 6 feet) of a person who has been infected with the virus.
  • You can also catch Coronavirus by touching something that has been coughed or sneezed on by an infected person and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
  • According to the CDC at this time, most people in the United States are at little risk of contracting COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of Coronavirus COVID-19?

The symptoms of COVID-19 include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of Breath

If you experience any of these symptoms, stay home or in your residence hall room and do not come to work or class. Report your symptoms immediately to your RA, Residence Life Director or your supervisor. If you have difficulty breathing, call 911 first. Information about reporting protocols can be found in the chart below:

If you experience any symptoms:

Main Campus Traditional Program – Resident Students

  • Stay in your room and do not go to class, the cafeteria, library, Hartness Center or other spaces on campus. The College will make arrangements to deliver meals to you should you need to stay in your room for an extended period.
  • Call the Student Health Center at 252.985.5186 between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday. The NCWC Director of Health Services will be able to screen you remotely and advise you of next steps. If you experience symptoms after hours or over the weekend, please call the Professional On-Call Staff Member at 252.813.1230. Please also notify your RA and/or Director of Residence Life, Steve Burrell, via email or phone about your symptoms.
  • Email Jessica Brys-Wilson at jbrys@ncwu.edu to determine if communication to your faculty members about class absences is appropriate.
  • Please complete the self-report travel form.

Main Campus Traditional Program – Commuting Students

  • Stay home and do not come to campus.
  • Call your primary healthcare physician and they will advise you on resources and next steps.
  • Email Jessica Brys-Wilson at jbrys@ncwu.edu to determine if communication to your faculty members about class absences is appropriate.
  • Please complete the self-report travel form.

Adult Students – All Locations

  • Stay home and do not come to campus.
  • Call your primary healthcare physician and they will advise you on resources and next steps.
  • Notify your APS Site Director or Advisor of your symptoms/illness via email or phone.
  • Email Jessica Brys-Wilson at jbrys@ncwu.edu to determine if communication to your faculty members about class absences is appropriate.
  • Please complete the self-report travel form.

Employees – All Locations

  • Stay home and do not come to campus.
  • Call your primary healthcare physician and they will advise you on resources and next steps.
  • Inform your supervisor that you will be away from the office for as long as recommended by your provider’s office. Documentation will be helpful if you will be out for more than 3 business days.
  • Please complete the self-report travel form.

Prevention – What can you do to protect yourself?

  • Get plenty of rest
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • WASH YOUR HANDS – frequently – with soap and water for twenty seconds or use hand sanitizer with 60-95% alcohol content.
  • STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK! (Or in your room, if you live on campus.)
  • Avoid people who are obviously sick.
  • Avoid smoking and vaping.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow, not on your hands.
  • If you get sick and feel like you need to be seen in the Health Center, call 252.985.5186 or email Jessica Brys-Wilson at jbrys@ncwu.edu to schedule an appointment. Do not walk in as this can increase your chances of contracting a viral illness, like COVID-19.
  • If you develop difficulty breathing, call 911.

What is NCWC doing to protect you?

  • We have formed a Viral Illness Response Team and are working diligently to prepare for potential future cases of Coronavirus on campus.
  • We have created a very thorough Response Plan based on levels of risk to our campus community.
  • We have increased disinfecting of residence halls, academic buildings and other buildings on campus.
  • We have stocked the Health Center with protective supplies.
  • We have been in direct contact with the local health department to prepare and develop a management plan for suspected cases of COVID-19.
  • We are very closely monitoring recommendations and status updates from the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization as well as the state and local government.
  • On the guidance of our local health department, we have suspended walk-in visits to our Health Center, as this could result in inadvertent exposures. All Health Center patients will have to be screened via phone or email BEFORE presenting to the Health Center.
  • We have developed a questionnaire for every Health Center patient that will assess their risk of having come in contact with the Coronavirus.
  • The Health Center will be monitoring illness cases to note for patterns and clusters so we can tailor additional preventive measures in those locations.
  • The Viral Illness Response Team is in near constant contact and are meeting frequently to assess the current risk to our campus. If, at any point we feel it is warranted, we will take further steps to minimize risk and prevent transmission. This will be communicated through email and Bishop Alerts so please keep an eye on your school email account so you will be aware of any changes in our day-to-day operations, should the need arise.
  • Facilities is fogging and carefully sanitizing common areas of main campus – including the main BRA, PCB, GSC corridors, residence halls and the Spruill building.
  • Extra supplies for sanitizing have been ordered and will be distributed as needed.

For Questions

The College will continue to email and post updates to the campus community, including specific directives for action and decisions on campus operations.

Students

For questions, please contact Dr. Molly Wyatt, Interim Dean of Students, at mwyatt@ncwu.edu.

Employees

For questions, please contact Darrell Whitley, Director of Human Resources at dwhitley@ncwu.edu.