Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
University Health Services is available by appointment only. Please call to schedule an appointment. All students, whether on campus or at home, can call UHS for consultation 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (574) 631-7497.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild respiratory illness with symptoms of
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough (not from a chronic or known condition)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Muscle or body aches (not explained by exercise)
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat (not from a chronic or known condition)
Secondary symptoms may include:
- Congestion or runny nose (not from a chronic or known condition)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Unexplained fatigue
How can I help protect myself?
People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with everyday preventative actions.
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Get the COVID-19 vaccine series
If you think you're sick?
If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you have been in close contact with a COVID-19-positive patient, wear a KN95 mask, obtain an at-home test kit, and contact your healthcare provider by phone. Both the KN95 masks and at-home test kits are available at the Walgreens in Saint Liam Hall.
How do I get tested for COVID-19?
Students are strongly encouraged to obtain an at-home test kit and upload the results into their patient portal. If unable to obtain an At Home Test kit, call UHS (574) 631-7497 for further assistance. If students have tested positive for COVID-19 at an off-campus testing site, it is critical they upload their external test results. If positive, students will be contacted and offered guidance on quarantining or self-isolation to prevent further transmission within the campus community.
It is easy for students (both undergraduate and graduate) to share their external test results.
- On the test result/sample, write your full name and the date of the test. Take the COVID-19 At-Home test and await the result
- Once results are obtained, take a picture of the result along with your NDID card, with the name and date information clearly visible
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Choose the appropriate negative or positive label in your patient portal for your image and upload it. A secure message will be sent based on the results
- If the result is positive, immediately begin isolating in your room. Mask for 10 days from the date of the test, however, isolation will end after 5 days provided your symptoms are resolving
- If the result is negative, continue to monitor your symptoms and if symptoms continue for another 24 hours or worsen, test again and contact UHS to speak with a nurse about your symptoms
- A positive At-Home test result must be uploaded within 4 hours from the time that it was taken or it will be considered invalid and may require a confirmatory test at UHS
- Day 0 will be the date of the positive At-Home test upload (as stated above)
- The secure message from the result of any positive COVID test, including At-Home COVID test kits, will be considered the documentation of illness for professors
- Positive uploads may be randomly selected for a mandatory confirmatory test
- Note, a COVID infection implies clinical immunity for a 90-day period. Thus, all other positive COVID At-Home test results uploaded prior to 90 days from Day 0 will not be considered valid. Situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A PCR test may be used to verify test results under these circumstances.
If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Wash your hands frequently, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.