Monitoring the Coronavirus

Covid-19 is a lower respiratory infection and is highly contagious. CDC updated symptoms April 27, 2020. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Some people will be sick enough to require being placed on a ventilator. After recovery, fatigue and cough may persist for several days to weeks. Even after recovery hand washing and social distancing should be practiced. We do not know if the infection provides protection against reinfection and if it does, we do not know how long the protection will last. It may be possible to get the infection again very soon after the illness. There is still much to learn about this new coronavirus.

For more information about symptoms and to use the symptom checker go to the CDC Website.

Current antiviral medication does not prevent spread of COVID-19. To help prevent the spread of the virus, follow these guidelines:

• Remain at least 6 ft. from one another.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use of liberal amounts of 60% alcohol hand wash solution. Use paper towels to dry your hands after using soap and water.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces –  including cell phones. Simple Clorox-type wipes can be used to clean the cell phone. This type of wipe does not damage the glass or the camera.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. We may need to gently remind others to do so.
• Stay home if you are sick or have a fever.
• Don’t touch your face/eyes/nose.
• Prevention Tips

No, and any suspected infections are coordinated with the local County Health Department, local hospitals, and medical advisors based on the level of medical care needed.  We have quarantine residential facilities for any students who are undergoing a 14-day screening. Students will have access to IT and other academic resources to continue their studies as is possible.

An additional health concern for college-age students is influenza.  The flu is contagious 3-5 days before symptoms and 3-5 days after symptoms improve.  Current antiviral medication used does not prevent spread of the illness.  Those medications can make you feel better, but please stay away from others for 5 days after the start of symptoms.

Please contact Health Services directly by emailing roowellness@austincollege.edu or call 903.813.2247.