Elon University / Today in Elon / August 31 Community Health Update

A weekly update from Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley with community health information, important resources, and announcements of any protocol changes.

Dear students, teachers and staff,

Key information in this week’s Community Health Update:

  • COVID-19 Information
  • COVID-19 Testing Resources
  • Monkeypox Academic Protocols
  • Community health update COVID-19 information

COVID-19 Information

As noted in Monday’s special campus update, our community has seen a significant number of reported COVID-19 cases over the past week. Most people report mild symptoms and our campus population remains highly immunized, improving protection against serious illness. While an increase is typical for the start of a semester, it’s a good reminder of the precautions we should take as a community to protect ourselves and those around us from COVID and other respiratory illnesses.

The the use of masks is essential limit the spread of disease as we approach fall and flu season. All students, faculty and staff should carry a high-quality, properly fitted mask (cloth, surgical, N95 or KN95) with them for use in crowded areas or where additional protection is advised. When you leave campus, remember that Alamance and Guilford counties are currently in CDC “high” level of community transmissionsuggesting the use of a high quality mask.

If you find you need a mask but don’t have one on hand, limited supplies are available at the following locations: Moseley Center Information Desk, Entrance to Campus Restaurants, Belk Library, Campus Recreation and Welfare Registry Office, Residential District Offices, Alamance Building Rotunda, Lindner Hall on first floor, Global Commons, Koury Business Center on first floor.

If you don’t feel well – fever, runny nose, cough or other respiratory symptoms, even if you think they are allergies – you should wear a mask when around other people or in public, including in bathrooms classroom and canteens. You should avoid large public gatherings such as sporting events, parties, and other social activities. And you should get tested for COVID-19 (testing resources below). These actions will protect those around you and reduce the spread of disease on campus.

Elon’s infectious disease response team continues to closely monitor conditions and consult with health officials to determine if additional on-campus mitigations are warranted. Please review the University COVID-19 website for a reminder of important information on masks, testing, and information on positive cases and isolation.

COVID-19 Testing Resources

COVID-19 testing continues to be available on campus throughout the fall semester for students, faculty, and staff.

The fall schedule for asymptomatic testing at McCoy Commons 207 (Oaks Neighborhood) is:

Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Check your test results at: www.elon.edu/myreadiness.

Sick visits, including diagnostic tests for those showing symptoms of COVID-19, is available for students by appointment at Student Health Services and for staff and faculty by appointment at the Health and Wellness Clinic. Faculty/staff.

Other testing options to understand federal government home test kitspurchase home tests from pharmacies or local stores, or use local test sites.

Monkeypox Academic Protocols

Elon’s monkeypox information webpage now includes details on testing, what to do if you test positive, and information on isolation protocols in the event of a positive case. Please review the information to learn how the university is preparing to respond to potential positive cases. With a longer isolation period for the monkeypox virus (the duration of illness, which can last 3-4 weeks), the university will recommend that students who test positive return home to self-isolate if they can do so safely without using public transport. Elon has also expanded the faculty/staff temporary work continuity policy to include monkeypox, as well as COVID-19.

Visit the Monkeypox FAQ page to learn more about how monkeypox is spread and how you can protect yourself.

Community health update

Every Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m., the university’s COVID-19 webpage is updated with information on the status of COVID-19 case notification and on-campus testing. The site also includes the link to the latest CDC COVID-19 information. community levelswhich are currently highest in Alamance and Guilford counties.

The next Community Health Update is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7 at 10:45 a.m.

Jon Dooley, Ph.D.

Vice President of Student Life

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