Between the new BlendFlex model, 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 Oct. 3, NSU did not currently have any confirmed COVID-19 cases or quarantines within the residential halls or among any undergraduate professors. Beth Welmaker, the executive director of environmental health and safety for NSU, stated that, while the low number of total cases are considered positive news for NSU’s campus, she wants the community to know that the university is here to support anyone coming forward with a positive or potential case of COVID-19.
“I’m very encouraged and happy that we don’t have cases right now on campus, but I do hope, earnestly, that it’s not for a lack of willingness to report a positive status. I think that NSU has done a phenomenal job of supporting students during the time of isolation and there hasn’t been any punitive action. I would hope that our students would be willing to reach out for that care and support rather than trying to go about it on their own,” said Welmaker.
An NSU student, who asked to remain anonymous, reported that they felt the university was taking the right precautions when it came to handling their “case.” The student was ill and had symptoms of COVID-19, but did not test positive for the virus, and out of an abundance of caution, they decided to isolate and treat their illness as if it was a case of COVID-19. The student has completed their standard 10-day isolation period and in-person appointment, and are gradually transitioning back to partaking in in-person activities.
“In terms of food delivery and making sure that I got a Telehealth appointment set up, [Welmaker] was really helpful that whole time… and the fact that we were required to take the Return of the Sharks course was really helpful because I knew what to do. In terms of [how my case was handled], I was very pleased with the resources,” the student said.
Welmaker encourages students who have symptoms or any suspicion of COVID-19 to reach out to NSU’s Telehealth line at (954) 262-4100 and COVIDcase@nova.edu for guidance and support. If it is determined that a test is necessary, students can get tested at the campus site, which has been delivering results in 24 hours. Additionally, staying diligent in preventing the spread of other illnesses, such as the flu or strep throat, is particularly important this year.
“The flu is very serious for a lot of individuals as well, and it can be very confusing to determine if your symptoms are flu symptoms or COVID-19 symptoms, and they’re both respiratory viruses, which are both very debilitating,” said Welmaker.
The student echoed Welmaker’s suggestions, encouraging other students to take COVID-19 seriously and do their part to protect the health and safety of the community.
“Just continue to follow the guidelines that NSU is giving out. They have been very helpful so far with all of the resources they gave us, even before we got to school. Make sure you’re keeping your own circle and everyone around you as safe as possible [by] doing the right thing, not hanging around a bunch of people and only going out when you need to,” the student said.
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.
Additionally, to help find a clinic that offers the flu shot near you, visit the CDC’s vaccine finder widget online.
