COVID-19 Information

COVID 19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.

Symptoms of Coronavirus

According to the CDC, people with COVID 19 can have a wide range of symptoms which may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. These symptoms may range from mild to severe and include: Fever, cough, shortness of breath of difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea

Testing Options

Self-administered Rapid Antigen tests for COVID 19 are available at the Health Center and in Morris Hall. These may be used for routine surveillance, following exposure to someone with COVID, or for mild symptoms.

Symptomatic students may also call the Health Center for an appointment to be evaluated and for a Rapid PCR COVID test. If it is after hours and you are having symptoms, testing and acute care are also available in the community at Well Now and Convenient Care clinics.                                       (See Emergencies and after-hours concerns)

Additional information on testing

What to do if you Test Positive for COVID 19

If you test positive for COVID 19, we ask that you call the SUNY Oneonta Health Center. We will counsel you in regard to symptom management and isolation requirements. If you test positive when we are not open, please follow the isolation guidance that is provided below.

Students who test positive are required to self-isolate per New York State and CDC guidelines. Additional information on Isolation requirements: NYS page on Isolation | CDC page on Isolation

You are required to self-isolate in your dorm room, or personal residence if living off-campus, for five days. You may reach out to your RA or Residence Director for questions about isolating in your dorm room. The CDC considers your first full day of isolation to be the day after you began feeling sick, or if you're asymptomatic, the day after you have tested positive. You should wear a well-fitting mask at all times when you are indoors, except when sleeping or when you are alone in your room. You should not leave your isolation location for any reason, other than to use the restroom or to get meals. You may have a friend pick up meals for you, from meal halls, using your student ID card. You will be responsible for notifying your professors for missed classes or labs. Students are encouraged to notify your positive status with the people you are in close contact with.

After five days of isolation, as long as your symptoms are improving and fever free for twenty-four hours, you may resume normal activities while wearing a high-quality mask, when indoors, or an additional five days.

What to do if you are Exposed to COVID 19

If you have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID 19 you should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and consider self-testing on Day 5. If you develop symptoms, you should self-isolate and test. Additional information on what to do if you are exposed to COVID-19

Prevention

There are many ways your actions can help protect you and those around you from severe illness from COVID-19. CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels provide information about the amount of severe illness in the community where you are located to help you decide when to take action to protect yourself and others. For example, when Community Levels are medium or high, it is recommended that you wear a high-quality mask when indoors in public.

In addition to basic health and hygiene practices, like handwashing, CDC recommends some prevention actions at all COVID-19 Community Levels, which include:

• Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines
• Improving Ventilation
• Getting Tested for COVID-19 If Needed
• Following Recommendations for What to Do If You Have Been Exposed
• Staying Home If You Have Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
• Seeking Treatment If You Have COVID-19 and Are at High Risk of Getting Very Sick
• Avoiding Contact with People Who Have Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19