Wednesday, August 19, 2020

What to do if you’re sick

The university has been developing and implementing policies and procedures to help lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure and spread. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection or has concerns about a potential exposure should follow this process:

  • If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, stay home.
  • Do not go to class or work while symptomatic. If you develop symptoms while on campus, go home or return to your dorm room.
  • Call a health care professional who can assess your symptoms and risk factors and help you make a plan. DO NOT walk in to QuickCare, Student Health, any UI Health Care clinic, the State Hygienic Lab, or any emergency room.
  • Consult your UI Health Care provider, Student Health, or personal health care provider to see if you need a COVID-19 testing.

Students

Call or email the Student Health Nurseline (319-335-9704, student-health@uiowa.edu) or your local health care provider. After hours and on weekends, call the UI Hospitals & Clinics (319-384-9010 or the 24-hour helpline, 319-384-8819) or schedule a video visit through MyChart.

The health care provider you work with will determine whether you qualify for COVID-19 testing.

Faculty/Staff

Call your health care provider or the UI Hospitals & Clinics (319-384-9010) and inform them of your symptoms or schedule a video visit through MyChart.

The health care provider you work with will determine whether you qualify for COVID-19 testing.

What to do if you test positive for COVID-19

Students and employees are encouraged to self-report a positive diagnosis so the university can assist with academic and work arrangements, cleaning, and communication, where applicable. The university will provide isolation space for residence hall students diagnosed with COVID-19 and space to quarantine close contacts.

  • Students and employees should self-report via the university’s online system using this link.
  • If you are an employee, communicate with your supervisor and/or local HR representative to report sick leave.
  • If you live on campus, call University Housing & Dining as soon as possible at 319-335-3000 so they can assist you with appropriate living arrangements while you self-isolate.
  • Self-isolate according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines:
    • 10 days since first symptoms
    • At least 24-hours with no fever (without fever reducing medication) and
    • Symptoms improved
  • Inform close contacts and assist the Johnson County Health Department with contact tracing.

A quick guide on this process is available on the UI Coronavirus website.

The university will share the current number of self-reported cases each Friday, beginning Aug. 28, in the COVID-19 Campus Update.

 

Update: Blended instruction

To provide additional social distancing for students and faculty, the university has implemented a combination of online and face-to-face instruction that maximizes the use of larger classrooms. After moving courses with enrollments of 50 or more online, most undergraduate credit hours will be delivered online.

  • 72% online
  • 16% face-to-face
  • 12% blended (a combination of face-to-face and online instruction)

 

Reminder: Temporary alternative working arrangement

The university is committed to supporting employees upon their return to work on campus, including those who are medically vulnerable and at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Employees (outside of UI Health Care) who fall into one or more of the high-risk categories identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or who have a household member in one of the high-risk categories, and who wish to seek a temporary alternative work arrangement beyond the COVID-19 workplace measures taken by their respective department or unit, may request a temporary alternative work arrangement (TAWA). It is important for faculty, staff, and student employees to follow the TAWA process.

To date, the UI Human Resources has received and approved 450 TAWA requests from faculty, staff, graduate assistants, fellows, and student employees, including:

  • 244 faculty
  • 94 staff
  • 102 are graduate assistants
  • 10 fellows or student employees

Some collegiate units continue to process requests and will be notifying individual employees as soon as possible. These numbers exclude UI Health Care, which has a separate process for administering requests.

 

Reminder: Temporary alternative learning arrangement

Students who are medically vulnerable and at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 according to CDC guidelines, or who live with someone who is in a vulnerable population, may seek a temporary alternative learning arrangement (TALA). All requests and personal information are confidential. Arrangements may include:

  • Remote learning.
  • Modified class schedule such as a change in class time or flexible learning arrangement to decrease contact with others.
  • Use of additional or enhanced protective equipment such as gowns, masks, face shields, gloves, or other gear beyond what may be provided in the ordinary course.
  • Temporarily removing or modifying course content that may be less critical or incidental.

To date, the UI has received and approved 240 TALA requests.

  • 193 undergraduate students
  • 47 graduate and professional students

In addition, 148 students have requested alternative arrangements not related to CDC-identified conditions, which are being handled at the collegiate level. The university is committed to supporting students upon their return to campus.