What do I do if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19 or receive a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, you should not come to campus. You should complete the COVID Reporting Form linked HERE.
I work at a hospital and was exposed to a COVID-positive patient, but I was wearing full PPE. Do I have to complete the NYIT form and/or quarantine?
No. If you were wearing full PPE, you do NOT need to complete the form and do NOT need to quarantine
My coworker’s high-school aged daughter has been quarantined because one of her classmates tested positive. Shouldn’t my coworker be quarantined?
No. Unless your coworker had direct contact with the confirmed positive, he is only considered a “secondary contact.” He does NOT need to complete the form and does NOT need to quarantine if he did not have direct contact with the positive individual. Should your coworker’s daughter exhibit symptoms or test positive, your coworker would need to complete the form and quarantine.
My classmate tested positive. Do I need to complete the form and quarantine?
Only if you had direct contact with your classmate. Direct contact typically means that you were within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative of 15 minutes within a 24-hour period. Simply being together in the same room for an extended period of time does not mean that you need to quarantine. Simply being within 6 feet of someone for just a few minutes does not mean that you need to complete the form or quarantine. Remember: within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes in 24 hours. Other forms of direct contact include: hugging, kissing, sharing eating utensils, or being sneezed/coughed on by the infected individual. Please note that this is not a license to disregard social distancing guidelines, even if it’s only for a few minutes. It is still ASUN’s policy that everyone practice social distancing (6 feet or more) at all times on campus.
Someone I live with tested positive for COVID-19. What do I do?
Complete the NYIT form. The positive individual should isolate from the rest of the family. The rest of the household should begin quarantining. Isolation is not always possible. Please note that if the positive individual does not isolate, your quarantine will not end until 10 days after the day your family member is released from isolation.
Example: Jim, Jr. tests positive on 9/1. He is placed in isolation through 9/11. Jim, Jr. is only 5, and needless to say, he won’t stay in his room alone for 10 days. Jim, Sr. cares for Jim, Jr. throughout his isolation and has direct contact throughout. Jim, Sr. will be quarantined through 9/21. Should Jim, Sr. develop symptoms during his quarantine, he will start a 10-day isolation.
One of my students has completed their isolation or quarantine but hasn’t received a letter of release. What can I do?
Direct them to contact covid@asun.edu. ASUN does not get automatically notified when cases are updated and people are cleared, but when a student reaches out, ASUN will review the case notes and communicate with the student regarding the requirements for returning to campus.
What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?
Isolation is for people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Quarantine is for people who have had direct contact with a person who has COVID-19. For both isolation and quarantine, you should stay away from others in your household. If it is not possible to stay in a separate room, you should all wear face masks and remain 6 feet apart at all times.
When is a COVID-positive person considered infectious?
COVID-19 patients are considered to be infectious two days before their symptoms started or two days before their positive test if they are asymptomatic. COVID patients are considered infections for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or 10 days from the date of their positive test if they are asymptomatic.
If I have been exposed, exhibited symptoms, or been diagnosed with COVID-19, when can I expect to come back to work/school?
If you have been exposed, exhibited symptoms, or been diagnosed with COVID-19 (either clinical diagnosis or positive test), you should not come to campus. You should complete the NYIT COVID Reporting Form linked HERE.
NYIT will contact you to:
Those who have been exposed to COVID-19 may be instructed to quarantine for 10 or more days.
Those exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 may be instructed to isolate for 10 or more days.
Those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 will be instructed to isolate for 10 or more days.
I work in a healthcare facility or nursing home and was tested for COVID-19. Do I need to complete the form?
I am an IGNITE student. How do I report if I have had symptoms, exposure, or tested positive for COVID-19?
You should notify your high school, your ASUN faculty members and send an email to covid@asun.edu. IGNITE students do not need to complete the NYIT/ASUN COVID Reporting Form.
What is considered “close contact” or “direct contact”?
What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms often include a fever, cough or shortness of breath. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Recent studies show that the virus can be spread by people before they develop symptoms or who never develop symptoms. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface or object and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. However, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Although the virus can survive for a short period on some surfaces, it is unlikely to be spread from products or packaging.
What if someone presents symptoms?
If someone around you appears to have symptoms, please understand that there are a variety of reasons that someone may be coughing or sneezing. Many people have allergies or chronic conditions with symptoms similar to COVID-19. If you are uncomfortable around someone because they are displaying potential symptoms, please work with your supervisor or faculty member on potential alternatives to maintain your own health and wellness.
What is contact tracing?
Contact Tracing is the process of working with individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 to ensure that they have the right information and that people with whom they have been in contact with are notified that they may need to quarantine themselves. Contact Tracers may: trace and monitor contacts of infected people and notify them of their exposure; help ensure the safe, sustainable and effective quarantine of contacts to prevent additional transmission; and use digital tools to expand reach and efficacy of contact tracing.
Should I be tested for COVID-19?
Currently, the CDC says that not everyone needs to be tested. However, if you are having symptoms or have been in close contact with an individual that tested positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19, we highly recommend that you engage with your healthcare provider to determine if a test is needed.
Where do I enter campus? Will I have to check-in at a certain place to come on-campus?
Most campus entrances will be open to help individuals spread out and not have a number of individuals waiting in one doorway. Starting July 20, check-in is not required and ASUN will implement its self-monitoring system. Please review the checklist in Appendix A every day before coming to campus. That checklist includes taking your own temperature at home.
Are visitors allowed on campus?
At this time visitors are allowed on campus by appointment only. Visitors should check in as follows: Newport – Student Community Center, Hangar; Jonesboro – Main Building, Front Office; Marked Tree – Building A, Front Office. All visitors will have their temperatures taken and be asked to complete an acknowledgement.
Will food service areas be open?
Yes. The Hub and Delta Grill will be open. However, menu options may be limited. Furthermore, seating in dining facilities will be limited to allow for social distancing. Please adhere to the signage on tables and chairs to keep the appropriate distance from others. All mandates given by the Arkansas Department of Health pertaining to restaurants must also be followed while in food service areas, including wearing a mask until you are seated with your food and drink.
Can I use the Fitness Center?
The ASU-Newport fitness centers and gyms are not open, as it is difficult to socially distances in these areas. Furthermore, it is an added area of concern for our cleaning staff.
Do I have to wear a mask?
Yes. Masks are required on all ASU-Newport campuses. Face coverings should be worn any time that you are in a shared space or around others. If you are alone in an office, you can remove your mask. Use your judgment and common sense: if you expect to interact with others, wear a mask. Refusal to wear a mask can result in disciplinary action.
Will ASU-Newport provide a mask for me?
Yes. ASU-Newport will provide two cloth, reusable masks for all full-time faculty and staff members and one mask for each student. The institution will also have a limited number of disposable masks on hand for those that need them.
Where do I sit inside classrooms?
Classrooms, labs and common areas have been rearranged to accommodate social distancing. Please remain compliant with room designs. Adding more chairs or relocating tables may increase the likelihood of infection by decreasing physical distances and is prohibited. Extra chairs and tables in the back of a room and tables and chairs that are marked off are considered out of order.
Will ASUN offer in-person classes this spring?
Yes. While class sizes may be adjusted to allow for social distancing, ASUN campuses will offer in-person courses. For students concerned about returning to campus, online courses and online student services are still available.