COVID-19 Updates and Protocol

COVID-19 Testing 

If you have symptoms concerning for COVID, please self-isolate and get tested.  Even if you think it's just a cold or allergies, your symptoms could still be due to COVID. 

COVID testing is offered on-campus in the basement of Memorial Hall.  Students may also complete testing at an outside facility.

CDC Recommendations for Isolation 

If you test positive for COVID, stay home and away from others. Wear a high-quality facemask if you are around others.  You may return to normal activities when, for 24 hours, both of the following are true:

  • Symptoms are improving overall.
  • You are fever-free, without use of a fever-reducing medication (i.e. Tylenol, Advil, etc). 

When returning to normal activities, take additional precautions for the next 5 days when indoors and around others, such as masking and social distancing.  You are less likely to be contagious during this time, but it is still important to be careful around those at higher risk for serious illness.

COVID-19 Patient Education (Clickable)

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

  • Fever or chills Loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache 

COVID-19 FAQs 

For FAQs regarding COVID testing, vaccines and more, visit the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) FAQ website. 

I’m sick. How do I know if it is COVID or something else, like the cold or flu?

  • Even if you think it's just a cold or allergies, it's important to self-isolate and contact Student Health for testing.  COVID symptoms are often very similar to cold, flu, or allergy symptoms.  The only way to tell the difference is with COVID testing. 
  • Common symptoms of COVID may include fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, body aches, headache, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.   

When is someone with COVID contagious?

  • Persons diagnosed with COVID are considered contagious beginning 2 days before the start of symptoms(or a positive test if there are no symptoms).    They are likely to remain contagious (though the risk of transmission is lower) until 5 days after being released from isolation. 
  • People with severe infections or significant underlying health issues may be infectious for longer. 

When is someone with COVID contagious?

  • We will communicate with the Director of Residence Life regarding COVID protocols for residential students and meal delivery. Students who are “asymptomatic” may come to the café to pick up carry-out and should be masked at all times. Students who are “symptomatic” will have their meals picked up and delivered by the designated person, i.e., roommate, RA, GA, etc.

When is someone with COVID contagious?

  • The Academic Center for Excellence will notify professors of students that test positive that students will be absent due to a medical concern. Professors will be asked to allow students to make up any missed assignments.

How do I contact Student Health Services?

Ground Floor Memorial Hall

(804) 524-5711

Monday- Friday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm 

Masks

 

September 5, 2023

Greetings VSU Community,

COVID-19 and its new variants are still present, can be very contagious, and spread quickly. With a national uptick in COVID-19 cases, we encourage our Trojan Community to wear a mask in indoor crowded places such as classrooms.

As part of Virginia State University's COVID-19 protocol, Personal Protective Equipment is available to all students and employees campus-wide. We will equip all classrooms with free masks and hand sanitizer for your convenience. In addition, students may obtain free masks from any Residence Hall Directors. PPE (personal protection equipment) can also be obtained at our Student Health Center in Memorial Hall. This includes masks, nitrile gloves, sanitization floor stands, hand sanitizer, glasses, face shields, and disinfectant wipes. Employees who want to obtain PPE should contact the building manager. Please be considerate of the quantities requested, as supplies are limited.

We firmly believe in the findings of medical and health professionals who advise that vaccination is the best and most effective life-saving measure against COVID-19. Therefore, we strongly encourage all students and employees to be fully vaccinated, including boosters.

For your safety, please reread and adhere to the below COVID information and protocol threads. Thank you for diligently joining our efforts to ensure our campus remains healthy and safe.

August 28, 2023

Greetings VSU Community,

COVID-19 and its new variants are still present, can be very contagious, and spread quickly. With a national uptick in COVID-19 cases, we encourage our Trojan Community to wear a mask in indoor crowded places such as classrooms. We will equip all classrooms with free masks and hand sanitizer for your convenience. In addition, students may obtain free masks from any Residence Hall Directors. PPE (personal protection equipment) can also be obtained at our Student Health Center in Memorial Hall. VSU employees can also contact Facilities for any additional PPE needed.

We firmly believe in the findings of medical and health professionals who advise that vaccination is the best and most effective life-saving measure against COVID-19. Therefore, we strongly encourage all students and employees to be fully vaccinated, including boosters.

For your safety, please reread and adhere to the below COVID information and protocol threads. Thank you for diligently joining our efforts to ensure our campus remains healthy and safe.

August 22, 2023

Greetings Trojans and Welcome Back,

As we begin the Fall 2023 semester, we want to remind our community that COVID-19 is still present, and we must remain vigilant about the health and safety of our VSU family. To help protect yourself and others, please review the following information.

PREVENTION

Prevent the spread of COVID-19 by taking the following CDC recommended precautions:

  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
  • Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water frequently and use hand sanitizer.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs)
  • If you have a fever or feel sick, stay home and get tested. 

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

  • Fever or chills Loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  •  Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Cough                                                                         
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing                    
  • Fatigue                                                                                   
  • Muscle or body aches                                                 
  • Headache

If you are having trouble breathing, please seek emergency medical attention. Please contact Campus Police at (804)524-5360 for immediate medical attention. If you have questions regarding your symptoms, please contact Student Health at (804) 524-5711, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.  

COVID TEST RESULTS:

Student Health is conducting the Rapid Antigen COVID Test. You can be tested in the Health Center Annex behind Whiting Hall or the basement of Memorial Hall. If you are sick and suspect you might have COVID-19, you should get a COVID test and should isolate yourself until you receive your test results.

  • Negative test results
    • If you receive negative test results, you may end isolation.
  • Positive test result:
  • Isolate and wear a high-quality mask for five days if you must be around others.
  • Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.
  • Do not travel.
  • Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.
  • Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
  • Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
  • Do not share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.

RULES FOR ISOLATION

If you had no symptoms and or your symptoms have improved, you may end isolation after Day 5 following the below criteria.

  • You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
  • You continue masking through Day 10 when in public or in residential quarters if you have a roommate.
  • It is recommended that the roommate also wear a mask.

If your symptoms do not improve following five full days of isolation, continue to isolate until:

  • You are fever-free for 24 hours (without using fever-reducing medication).
  • Your symptoms are improving. 

Continue isolating and wearing a mask through Day 10 if you had symptoms and had a moderate illness (you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing). If you had a severe illness (you were hospitalized) or a weakened immune system, continue isolating and wearing a mask through Day 10 and consult your doctor or Student Health before ending isolation.

HOW TO OBTAIN MEALS WHEN SICK

We will communicate with Resident Directors regarding COVID protocols for residential students and meal delivery. Students who are “asymptomatic” may come to the café to pick up carry-out and should be masked at all times. Students who are “symptomatic” will have their meals picked up and delivered by the designated person, i.e., roommate, RA, GA, etc.

PROTOCOL FOR MISSED CLASSES

The Academic Center for Excellence will notify professors of students that test positive that students will be absent due to a medical concern. Professors will be asked to allow students to make up any missed assignments. Please contact Student Health at (804)524-5711 if you have any questions regarding this Protocol.