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About COVID-19
COVID-19 (coronavirus) causes a spread of respiratory illness that includes a fever, cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing. It has the potential to cause severe disease and can be life-threatening.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others
that circulate among animals. They can cause mild respiratory disease, such as the common cold or can cause severe illness.
Further COVID-19 Information:
Transmission:
The latest scientific information shows that COVID-19 is spread person-to-person by respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes — similar to how influenza and other viruses cause respiratory illness to spread.
Transmission may also occur when a person touches a surface or object that has virus on it and then touches his or her own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
Prevention:
Public health officials recommends following basic prevention guidelines to avoid spreading and contracting COVID-19:
- Get vaccinated
- Wear a face covering
- Social distance at least 6 feet and avoid large gatherings
- Try to get sufficient sleep, exercise regularly, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
- Keep your hands clean and wash them frequently with soap and water. Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer and use it when you cannot wash your hands.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve. When you use a tissue, throw it in the trash immediately. Do not use a handkerchief.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Do not share cups, straws, or anything else you put in your mouth (especially vaping devices).
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Disinfect surfaces that can be contaminated such as desks, phones, doorknobs, keyboards, etc.
Follow the CDC’s travel health notices or the U.S. State Department Travel Advisories.
Symptoms:
COVID-19 symptoms may include fever, muscle or body aches, sore throat and cough, fatigue, headaches and difficulty breathing. View latest symptoms on the CDC website.
COVID-19 Related Terms, Definitions & Guidelines:
Positive (or presumed positive):
An individual who has been tested by a medical provider or facility for COVID-19 (coronavirus)
because he/she has symptoms or believes to have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Testing: There are two different types of tests used to diagnose an individual with COVID-19: Antigen test and PCR laboratory test.
Antigen Test (Rapid Test) – Detects COVID-19 by antigen test in a respiratory specimen.
- Antigen test is also referred to as a rapid test, as results can be returned to the person in as little as 15 minutes (and up to 2-hours).
- For the antigen/rapid test, the result of negative is not sufficient to provide an accurate determination of COVID-19. This is due to the fact that Antigen tests have a higher rate of false negative results. Antigen tests that are returned as negative must be followed by a PCR test.
- If you receive a negative result and you are symptomatic or have been exposed to a known positive, it is also critical that you follow up with a PCR test. Do not assume you are negative.
PCR Test (Standard Laboratory Test) - Molecular tests, such as RT-PCR tests, that detect the virus’s genetic material.
- PCR tests look for the presence of antibodies, which are proteins made in response to infections. Antibodies are detected in the blood of people who are tested after infection; they show the body’s efforts to fight off a specific infection (cdc.gov).
- Currently, test results are returned in 1-5 days.
- PCR tests are more accurate than antigen/rapid tests.
Symptomatic: Someone who has symptoms of the COVID-19 virus that exhibits:
- Symptoms appear between 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
- Symptoms may include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath of difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Isolation: Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick (cdc.gov). Example: A person who lives in your home is diagnosed with COVID-19. This person needs to be isolated to a separate room and bathroom in the house, if possible.
Quarantine: Separates and restricts the movement of people who were diagnosed with and/or exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick (cdc.gov).
View the CDC website to learn more about what "exposure" to COVID-19 means and when to quarantine and/or isolate.
If you have experienced ANY of the following:
- Symptoms related to COVID-19 and/or
- Tested positive for COVID-19
Please note: If your job or clinical rotation for your degree requires that you be exposed to those with COVID-19 (such as a job in health care), and you wear the proper PPE, there’s no need for you to report exposure to your supervisor or instructor.
DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS until you have been directed to do so by your instructor (if student) or supervisor (if employee).
If you are a student, please do the following:
- Email your instructor(s) to let them know you have experienced one (or more) of the items on the list above and cannot come to campus. Your instructors will provide information on next steps.
If you are an employee, please do the following:
- Report this information to your direct supervisor.
NOTE: The CDC has updated guidance for persons who are exposed to the virus. View CDC information on exposure.
Testing Sites: View a listing of testing sites in NWA at www.nwacouncil.org/testing.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms and/or been diagnosed, follow the below instructions.
DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS until you have been directed to do so by your instructor (if student) or supervisor (if employee).
If you are a student, please do the following:
- Email your instructor(s) to let them know you have experienced one (or more) of the items on the list above and cannot come to campus. Your instructors will provide information on next steps.
If you are an employee, please do the following:
- Report this information to your direct supervisor.
NWACC and community members may be concerned and feel over-whelmed about they and family contracting COVID-19 . If you may need to speak to someone to help you better cope, NWACC - Benton County offers a counseling center, and limited hours are available at NWACC- Washington County in Springdale. This service is provided free of charge to all NWACC students and employees.
Remember, individuals may seek personal counseling services for a myriad of reasons, such as assistance with dealing with college life, cultural shock, depression, anxiety, anger, substance use and abuse, relationship challenges, etc.
Counselors are trained to be supportive, relate to others and be sensitive to your background and life experience. Counseling can offer you an ear to listen, and help you learn how to address issues and how to manage and cope with symptoms.
Counseling and Wellness Information:
- Student Center, 2nd floor
- (479) 619-4128
- (479) 619-4222
- counseling@nwacc.edu
- M-Th, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Washington County Location
- By appointment only
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- 2019-nCoV Overview
- 2019-nCoV U.S. Cases
- Traveler Health Information
- What You Need to Know
- What to Do If Sick
Arkansas Department of Health
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