COVID-19 Update - Oct. 1

JMU News
 

Dear JMU Family,

Update on Cases
The university observed 5 new positive cases of COVID-19 at the Health Center yesterday as well as 2 self-reported cases, with 6 becoming considered “recovered,” meaning they were diagnosed as positive more than 10 days ago and are no longer infectious. This puts the number of active cases at 60. The number of open quarantine and isolation beds is now at 176 out of 192. More information can be found on the university’s Stop the Spread dashboard. While our situation continues to improve, individuals must continue to follow public health guidance by wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and washing hands frequently.

Asymptomatic Testing at the University Health Center
The Health Center is now offering testing for students who are not showing symptoms of COVID-19 (asymptomatic). If testing appointments reach maximum capacity, priority will be given to students, faculty and staff who have symptoms or have had direct, close contact with someone who tested positive. We still recommend that anyone who may have come in contact with someone with COVID-19 wait 5-7 days after contact to be tested. The cost is $55 and can be billed to insurance. Call 540-568-6178 to make an appointment to be tested.

Reasons for asymptomatic testing include travel, visiting with at-risk family members and internship or job requirements. It is important to note that COVID-19 testing provides test results for one period in time and does not capture illness immediately after exposure. If you are not showing any symptoms but are concerned that you were exposed, you need to quarantine before and after testing to ensure the test is accurate and that you were not exposed after the initial contact.

Reporting Risky Public Health Behavior
Our team at the Stop the Spread HELPline is receiving calls from members of the community wanting to report those engaging in behavior outside the bounds of the Stop the Spread Agreement. Agents are reminding callers that the most effective means of helping us stay safe is to report such behavior through the LiveSafe app, which goes directly to the JMU Public Safety team, which is responsible for responding.

Stop the Spread HELPline
If students and their families have questions and can’t readily find the answer in our FAQs, call the Stop the Spread HELPline, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The toll-free number is 888-886-3131. And don’t forget, many of your questions can be answered here. Call center agents also will be answering questions sent to covid19@jmu.edu, and you can submit questions via a form on the Stop the Spread site.

Stay safe, and please remember that the only vaccine currently available for COVID-19 is solidarity. And download the COVIDWISE app!

 

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Published: Thursday, October 1, 2020

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 1, 2023

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