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
  • 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.