COVID Response Team

Kent State University has organized a COVID Response Team that will be housed at the DeWeese Health Center.

This university's COVID Response Team will be responsible for managing COVID-19 related information that includes but is not limited to: voluntary self-reporting of COVID-19 status by students, staff and faculty; confirmed cases at DeWeese Health Center; and inquiries related to COVID-19 related topics such as self-isolation, quarantine and travel. It is led by Kent State’s chief university physician and its members include a coordinator, nurses and public health staff, employed by University Health Services.

Communicable Disease Response Annex (PDF) COVID-19 CONTACT OR SYMPTOMS? ACT NOW

The purpose of this information the team will manage is to provide advice for the health and safety of students, faculty and staff on all campuses. This guidance is temporary and subject to change depending on the state of Ohio, Center for Disease Control (CDC) and local public health requirements. This page will be monitored and updated accordingly.

Part of Kent State’s strategy to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to make testing available so that individuals who have the virus can learn their status and isolate to prevent them from spreading the virus to others. Widespread testing is available for individuals to learn their status. 

Learn More About Testing Options Access the Coronavirus Dashboard

The COVID Response Team can be reached at 330-672-2525.

 

Who must report to the COVID Response Team

The university requests that all students, staff and faculty on all campuses to report to the COVID Response Team by calling 330-672-2525 for any of the reasons below:

  • Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is being tested due to symptoms suggestive of the infection.
  • Anyone who had close contact* with an individual confirmed to have COVID-19 by laboratory testing or with a presumptive diagnosis of COVID-19 (presumptive meaning not tested but diagnosed by a medical clinician as likely to have the infection).
  • Anyone living on campus in University Housing and having symptoms consistent with COVID-19, including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, muscle or body aches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Anyone returning from international travel, regardless of country.
  • Anyone entering Ohio after travel to states reporting positive testing rates of 15% or higher
  • Anyone returning from travel by cruise ship.
  • Additionally, supervisors should report to the COVID Response Team should an:
    • Employee report COVID-19 symptoms.
    • Employee report they are COVID-19 positive.

*CDC defines close contact:  a distance of less than 6 feet and a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
* Individual exposures added together over a 24-hour period (e.g., three five-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes).

The information will be kept confidential in accordance and consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements.

The information will be stored in an information system managed by University Health Services and the Division of IT.

Guidelines for Individuals Who Are COVID-19 Positive

What should you do if you have tested positive for COVID-19?

If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately and/or call 9-1-1 and:

Isolation: Questions and answers

What is isolation?

Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.

In Ohio, isolation orders are issued by local public health departments to control the spread of communicable diseases.

Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for isolation

Watch Experts from Kent State University’s College of Public Health answer your COVID-19 questions

Steps to take when isolating

  • Stay in your current residence except to get medical care.
  • Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
  • Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
  • Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
  • Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
  • Don’t share personal household items like cups, towels and utensils.
  • Wear a cloth face covering when around other people, if able.

Who should isolate and for how long?

When you can be around others (end home isolation) depends on different factors for different situations. If you have questions or need additional information contact your local health department or medical provider.

Find CDC’s recommendations for your situation below.

I think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms

You can be with others after:

  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and
  • At least 24 hours has passed with no fever without fever-reducing medication and
  • Symptoms have improved

I tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms

If you continue to have no symptoms, you can be with others after:

  • 10 days have passed since test.
  • Depending on your healthcare provider’s advice and availability of testing, you might get tested to see if you still have COVID-19. If you will be tested, you can be around others after you receive two negative test results in a row, at least 24 hours apart.
  • If you develop symptoms after testing positive, follow the guidance above for “I think or know I had COVID, and I had symptoms.”

I have a weakened immune system

  • If you have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised) due to a health condition or medication, when can you be around others?
  • People with conditions that weaken their immune system might need to stay home longer than 10 days. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information. If you have questions or need additional information contact your local health department or medical provider.
Residence hall residents: Isolation questions and answers

If I live in the residence halls, can I isolate in my room?

The university has allocated space on campus for students living in the residence halls to safely isolate if they are diagnosed with COVID-19. A student will be temporarily moved to the isolation room and return to their assigned room at the end of isolation. 

During isolation the university will provide linens and food. The university will coordinate this with you. The local health department will provide case management and coordinate with the COVID Response Team and the DeWeese Health Center.

Can I still receive mail and packages?

Residence hall students in quarantine or isolation will continue to receive mail and packages in accordance with mail delivery procedures.

If I live in the residence halls, can I go home to isolate?

Yes, unless there is an objection from the local or state health departments, a student may return to their home to isolate. Before returning to campus, contact the COVID Response Team at 330-672-2525.

Guidelines for Individuals with COVID-19 Symptoms

What should you do if you have COVID-19 symptoms?

If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately and/or call 9-1-1 and:

Quarantine: Questions and answers

What is quarantine?

Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

What steps should I take to quarantine?

  • Stay home and monitor your health.
  • Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
  • Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Contact your medical provider if you develop COVID-19 symptoms or have questions.
  • If possible, stay away others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
  • Report your quarantine status to the Kent State COVID Response Team by calling 330-672-2525.

When should quarantine start and end?

According to CDC Quarantine Start and End Guidelines:

You should stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

The CDC has helpful scenarios to determine when you can end quarantine and be around others.

Watch Experts from Kent State University’s College of Public Health answer your COVID-19 questions Find out about COVID-19 Testing Options

Residence hall residents: Quarantine questions and answers

If I live in the residence halls, can I quarantine in my room?

The university has allocated space in residence halls for students who live in the residence halls to quarantine. As a result, the COVID Response Team may coordinate your move to the quarantine housing. In certain situations, after careful scrutiny by the Kent City Health Commissioner and the COVID Response Team, a student may be asked to quarantine in their own room. The university will provide linens and food. The local health department will provide case management and coordinate with the COVID Response Team and the DeWeese Health Center.

Can I still receive mail and packages?

Residence hall students in quarantine or isolation will continue to receive mail and packages in accordance with mail delivery procedures.

If I live in the residence halls, can I go home to quarantine?

Yes, unless there is an objection from the local or state health department, a student may return home to quarantine. Before returning to campus contact the COVID Response Team at 330-672-2525.

Guidelines for Individuals with Potential COVID-19 Exposure

What should I do If I might have been exposed to COVID-19?

Quarantine measures should be enacted by:

  • Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who is waiting for COVID-19 test results and has been advised by the COVID Response Team or Chief University Physician

What counts as close contact*?

You should consider that you have had close contact with an individual if:

  • You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period*.
  • You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19.
  • You had direct physical contact with the person (touched, hugged or kissed them).
  • You shared eating or drinking utensils.
  • They sneezed, coughed or somehow got respiratory droplets on you.

*CDC defines close contact:  a distance of less than 6 feet and a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. Individual exposures added together over a 24-hour period (e.g., three five-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes).

Quarantine: Questions and answers

What is quarantine?

Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

What steps should I take to quarantine?

  • Stay home and monitor your health.
  • Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
  • Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Contact your medical provider if you develop COVID-19 symptoms or have questions.
  • If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
  • Report your quarantine status to the Kent State COVID Response Team by calling 330-672-2525.

When should quarantine start and end?

According to CDC Quarantine Start and End Guidelines:

You should stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

The CDC has helpful scenarios to determine when you can end quarantine and be around others.

Residence hall residents: where should they quarantine?

If I live in the residence halls, can I quarantine in my room?

The university has allocated space in residence halls for students who live in the residence halls to quarantine. As a result, the COVID Response Team may coordinate your move to the quarantine housing. In certain situations, after careful scrutiny by tthe Kent City Health Commissioner and the COVID Response Team, a student may be asked to quarantine in their own room. The university will provide linens and food. The local health department will provide case management and coordinate with the COVID Response Team and the DeWeese Health Center.

Can I still receive mail and packages?

Residence hall students in quarantine or isolation will continue to receive mail and packages in accordance with mail delivery procedures.

If I live in the residence halls, can I go home to quarantine?

Yes, unless there is an objection from the local or state health department, a student may return home to quarantine. Before returning to campus contact the COVID Response Team at 330-672-2525.

Notifications & Impact

What should I do if I know of someone who is COVID-19 positive, has symptoms or is a close contact?

If someone tells you there COVID-19 status, refer that person to the COVID Response Team or ask the person if it is okay if you notify the COVID-19 Response Team with their information. Kent State's COVID Response Team can be contacted by calling 330-672-2525.

What should I do if I know I am a close contact of a COVID-19 case, but have not been notified by the health department or COVID Response Team?

Notify the COVID Response Team at 330-672-2525 immediately.

You should begin your quarantine immediately when you are informed by a close contact that they are positive or presumed positive by a clinician’s visit. Notify the COVID Response Team of your quarantine status.

Find out about COVID-19 Testing Options

How will I be notified of a positive COVID-19 case on my campus?

If you are determined to be a close contact of a positive or probable COVID-19 case, you will be notified by the local health department or the KSU COVID Response Team and advised what you should do regarding quarantine.

The local health departments are responsible for doing contact investigation on contact tracing on all positive COVID-19 cases. The KSU COVID Response Team will be helping the local health departments with contact investigation to identify as early as possible close contacts of a positive or probable COVID-19 case.

Information relating to COVID-19 cases and contact tracing is privileged and protected by HIPAA and FERPA. The name of a COVID-19 case will not be disclosed.

In the event the local and or state health officials determine there is an outbreak on a campus, KSU Public Safety and UCM will issue a university wide communication.

Will the buildings where a person with COVID-19 works, teaches or attends class be closed for cleaning and disinfecting?

Exposed areas will be disinfected according to CDC guidelines. The COVID Response Team and local health department will determine the areas to be cleaned and disinfected based on information gathered during contact investigation.

A room or space will not be vacuumed that has people in it. We will wait until the room or space is empty to vacuum, such as at night, for common spaces, or during the day for private rooms.

If more than seven days since the person who is sick visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary. We will continue routine cleaning and disinfection. This includes everyday practices that businesses and communities normally use to maintain a healthy environment.

Find more information on cleaning and disinfecting facilities, outdoor spaces and sidewalks.

How will I be notified if my building is closed?

Building curators and academic deans will be notified by UFM or the COVID Response Team of any building or area within a building being closed. Notification will include the area and duration of closure.

Building curators will be responsible for notifying anyone who works and/or attends classes or activities in that building or area within the building of the closure and the contingency plans during the closure.

Testing Guidelines

How do I get a COVID-19 test?
Do I have to be sick to get a test?

The DeWeese Health Center will provide testing to patients who have COVID-19 symptoms, are close contacts of a COVID-19 case, high risk and of part of cohort that has requested testing as long as we have testing supplies. You must call ahead to schedule a telemedicine visit. NO WALK IN APPOINTMENTS!

Testing sites will vary on if they will test patients without symptoms. Call ahead to inquire. To contact the DeWeese Health Center, call 330-672-2322.

Part of Kent State’s strategy to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to make testing available so that individuals who have the virus can learn their status and isolate to prevent them from spreading the virus to others. Widespread testing is available for individuals to learn their status. 

  Find out about COVID-19 Testing Options

What should I do while I wait for my test results?

As soon as you are tested, if you haven’t already, you should begin to quarantine to minimize the spread of the virus if you are positive.

Testing results can be received as quickly as same day and/or take up to 14 days. It depends on where you have testing and if you are symptomatic.

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