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 health information in this week’s update includes:
- Additional flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster clinic added
- Virus affecting campus and local community
Additional flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster clinic added
Due to strong interest in on-campus flu and COVID-19 reminder clinics, we have added an additional clinic date on Tuesday, November 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Lakeside 214. Pre-registration is recommended. This will be the last COVID-19 flu shot/reminder clinic of the quarter.
We are already experiencing an increase in flu cases this semester. Student Health Services reported 91 cases of ILI and confirmed 11 cases of influenza this semester. This is earlier than last year when our first confirmed case of the flu was in late November.
University officials join the CDC in strongly recommending the vaccine against influenza as one of many preventive measures to reduce transmission and negative health effects.
Whether through an on-campus clinic or at home during the Thanksgiving holiday, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to keep up to date with both the latest COVID-19 reminder and the annual vaccine. against the flu.
Virus affecting campus and local community
In addition to the flu and COVID-19, other illnesses are circulating right now, including RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and coldsin addition to the symptoms of allergies due to pollens and molds of leaves or trees very common in our region.
It is important to know the difference between flu and cold symptoms, flu and covid symptoms and symptoms of RSV. If you have symptoms, wear a mask in public and see a health care provider, including TimelyCare (available 24/7 for students), Student Health Services, or Health Clinic and faculty/staff welfare.
Steps to reduce the spread of communicable diseases include:
- Wear a mask at all times when you are with other people if you are sick
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often
- Limit your exposure to others, especially in close social settings
- Don’t share drinks
As a reminder, it’s always good to have over-the-counter medication on hand to treat cold, flu and fever symptoms. Over-the-counter cold and flu medications (including fever reducers) and home COVID-19 tests are available for purchase on campus at Fountain Market at Clohan Hall. Other on-campus purchase and delivery options for prescription and over-the-counter medications are available on the Student Health Services website.
Community health update
Every Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m., the university COVID-19 webpage is updated with information on the status of COVID-19 in our community. The site also includes a link to the latest CDC COVID-19 information. community levelswhich are presently at Low in Alamance and Guilford counties.
Our next Community Health Update will be next Wednesday, November 16, at 10:45 a.m.
—
Jon Dooley, Ph.D.
Vice President of Student Life
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