Between the Zoom calls, classroom capacities, limited gathering sizes and masks covering the faces of every Shark, it’s hard to miss the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on NSU.
As of Feb. 5, there were 11 active cases of COVID-19 among undergraduate students at NSU, with six cases considered on campus. Additionally, 54 undergraduate students were in quarantine, 14 of which are on campus.
Based on the university’s case dashboard found on the dedicated COVID-19 website, as of Feb. 8, for the week ending on Feb. 7, there were 40 total cases reported for all NSU populations.
Additionally, to clarify, the dashboard displays the number of cases reported to the university during the specified week, not necessarily the number of currently active cases. Active cases may fluctuate based on when individual cases arise or are resolved. The dashboard is not necessarily indicative of the number of currently active cases on campus nor is it a culmination of all cases that have been reported to university officials thus far.
Beth Welmaker, the executive director of environmental health and safety for NSU, explained that following the guidelines the university has put in place is still crucial to prevent further spread of COVID-19. It is expected that masks be worn in any public setting, including outside while on university property, except for in locations like private study areas or residential hall rooms. Welmaker stated that study rooms wherein taking a mask off is permissible have indicated this.
It is permissible for masks to be taken off while eating. To help mitigate the risk for potential spread associated with this, Welmaker explained that the university has implemented enhanced HVAC systems with needlepoint bipolar ionization technology to further clean the air in dining facilities.
“There are individuals that are suffering — and they’re all ages. This is not just something that happens to older people. Some individuals experience long term effects from COVID-19… Dr. Nancy Klimas on our campus has been awarded over a $4 million federal grant to study [COVID long haulers]. If wearing a mask is going to minimize your risk of getting COVID-19, then you can appreciate how important that is because you don’t know if you’re going to be somebody who has ‘easy covid’ or if you’re going to have long-term, lingering effects of the virus,” said Welmaker.
For further information and resources regarding the aforementioned “COVID long haulers,” visit this article in The Current.
Additionally, the university is still communicating with officials to work on COVID-19 vaccination processes. NSU has already built the framework for the distribution of the vaccine when it becomes available, so that once they are given the green light, the process is ready to be implemented. Welmaker explained that the Broward County Department of Health has said it will likely be around three weeks before they are able to work with community partners.
If a student is having any symptoms, they are advised to reach out to NSU’s Telehealth line at (954) 262-4100, where they will be connected to a physician who will review their symptoms and, if needed, schedule a COVID-19 test on campus. Additionally, students can email COVIDcase@nova.edu to provide updates on their symptoms and test results, even if the results are still pending, and to get assigned a COVID-19 case manager to oversee the situation and offer assistance, if necessary. Emailing COVIDcase will also immediately provide students with the Telehealth number, as well as links to employee and graduate/professional student report forms, the undergraduate student form and the form to report exposures. Students, staff and faculty can visit NSU’s dedicated website, www.nova.edu/coronavirus, for up to date information regarding COVID-19 at the university.
