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. 22, there were three residential students with active COVID-19 cases at NSU. The cases were reported in Mako Hall, according to an email sent to students living in the building. The students also confirmed that they have been taking their classes online.
There was one associated suitemate who decided to leave campus to quarantine, but otherwise, as of this time, there are no other students quarantining as a result of exposure to these active cases. The email also stated that the Florida Department of Health is working with these students on contact tracing.
Beth Welmaker, the executive director of environmental health and safety for NSU, encourages students to remain vigilant and continue to stick to the guidelines set forth by the university and public health officials. Welmaker also stated that, among most individuals and cases shared with her, those who are now reporting positive cases tend to know who they were around that exposed them — getting into a situation wherein individuals are in close proximity to each other can put everyone at risk.
“It’s clear at this point that we know what needs to happen to prevent the spread of this virus — it’s keeping distance and wearing a face cover. That seems to be working phenomenally well. People that are around others that have [tested] positive, if they kept their distance and were wearing a face covering, they’re not [testing] positive. Individuals that were in close proximity to somebody [with COVID-19] — they often [test] positive,” said Welmaker.
Additionally, students who have confirmed or suspected cases are urged to reach out to university officials, not only for tracking purposes, but also to take advantage of the support that can be provided to them. There are resources to help impacted students get extensions on academic deadlines, ensure they get food while isolating or connect them to counselors if isolation is proving to be challenging.
“I think it’s really important to let the university know, not only because it’s the right thing to do and it helps contain the spread, but we have established some wonderful resources that support our students when they’re isolating… I just want them to take advantage of the support and resources there for them,” said Welmaker.
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.
