03/13/20 - Campus COVID-19 Update

Dear Campus Community:

We are committed to sharing COVID-19 updates as new information emerges. To this end, we received notification from one of our employees that they are self-quarantining with flu-like symptoms. The employee’s spouse was also sick, went to a clinic and received negative tests for strep and flu. The spouse was referred to call the Northern Kentucky Health Department for COVID-19 testing, but the Health Department did not test the spouse because they weren’t deemed high risk. The employee and spouse are following the Centers for Disease Control’s direction to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The COVID-19 impacts are changing each day. With this in mind, we want to remind people of the following things.

• Please stay home if you feel sick or have a fever.
  
• If you are sick and are in need of medical care, call your healthcare provider for their instruction before leaving home. NKU’s Health Services has set up a telephone triage for those who are sick and need a consultation. Please call 859-572-5650.
  
• We also ask you that if you choose to stay home as a precaution, please refrain from coming to your office to retrieve any materials or your computer. It might be best to take documents and necessary items, home with you at the end of each day in case there is a change in your health status.

It’s important to note that testing for COVID-19 is being routed through Health Departments, and there is a process to follow if you need to get tested.

The Kentucky Department of Health
If you have developed a fever or respiratory symptoms and believe you have had exposure to a known case or traveled to an area with community spread, you should:

• Isolate yourself from others in your home and contact your local health department to describe your symptoms and any recent travel before you go to the healthcare facility.
  
• If you want advice about your illness, call the hotline at (800) 722-5725.
  
• If you are sick and feel you have an emergency, please call your doctor and seek medical care. 

The Ohio Department of Health
Ohio Department of Health strongly recommends that all Ohioans immediately take the following actions if they feel sick:

• Call your doctor immediately (before seeking care­) if you feel like you are developing fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Put on a facemask before you enter the facility.
  
• Seek prompt medical attention if you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19. In adults, these can include:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    
  • Persistent pain or pressure in chest
    
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
    
  • Bluish lips or face.
    
• Have severe, acute lower respiratory illness requiring hospitalization and no other diagnosis to explain the symptoms.
  
• For answers to your COVID-19 questions, call 1-833-4ASKODH (1-833-427-5634)

Also, the latest Global Health Advisory moves all countries to a Level 3. If you’re returning from any travel outside of the United States, you are required to self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor your health.

As this situation evolves, we know it will impact our campus. We ask that you notify your supervisor and Human Resources if you are staying home with flu-like symptoms, if you are getting tested for COVID-19, if you have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or you have been required to self-quarantine. This ensures we know how our campus community is being affected by the virus.

I encourage everyone to take advantage of the resources available to support your wellbeing. Faculty and staff can access NKU’s Employee Assistance Program resources, and our Health, Counseling & Student Wellness supports our students. As always, continue to practice proper habits for good health.

This is challenging time, but know we will get through this together. The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and community are our top priorities, and we are working to ensure NKU is being responsive to the needs of our campus.

I wish you good health and thank you for your support while we navigate this situation.

Sincerely yours,
Ashish K. Vaidya

Ashish K. Vaidya, Ph.D.
President
Northern Kentucky University
Nunn Drive
800 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: 859-572-5123
Fax: 859-572-6696