To: OSU faculty, staff and students
From: Dan Larson, Coronavirus Response Coordinator, Vice Provost for Student Affairs
March 13, 2020
Dear OSU students, faculty and staff,
In a time of great uncertainty, and given the continued unavailability of widely available testing, it is difficult to know the extent of exposure to COVID-19 in our university community, or about who may or may not have been exposed.
Information from public health authorities suggests that it is likely that some members of the OSU community have been exposed to others – locally, in Oregon, nationally or globally – who have contracted COVID-19. The University’s early adoption of precautionary measures, including our emphasis on social distancing, is intended to help minimize the speed and scope of transmission.
Under these circumstances, it is critical that everyone in the OSU community remain supportive of one another and as informed as possible. We provide the additional guidance below.
GUIDANCE ON EXPOSURE
If you are a student and believe you have been exposed but show no symptoms, contact your primary medical care provider or Student Health Services at 541-737-2324, and self-isolate and monitor your wellness for 14 days. Students who live on campus should communicate their concern to University Housing and Dining Services for guidance. Students should also notify their course instructors and supervisors of their anticipated absence.
If you are an employee and believe you have been exposed but show no symptoms, contact your primary medical care provider, and self-isolate and monitor your wellness for 14 days. Employees should work with their supervisor to make arrangements to work from home.
Students or employees who believe they may have been exposed and have symptoms, should self-isolate and immediately call their health provider, Student Health Services, or an emergency medical care provider, as appropriate. Be aware that not everyone is being tested for COVID-19 right away. Testing depends upon symptoms that clinicians evaluate before deciding to test.
Students or employees who have general concerns about their health, potential exposure and COVID-19, may contact the Oregon Health Authority hotline, at 211.
If we become aware of a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the university community, we will work with local public health authorities on communications to the OSU community and containment measures.
PREVENTION MEASURES: SOCIAL DISTANCING
We ask that you follow OSU’s precautionary measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Information on those measures can be found here. Social distancing is the foundation of the university’s prevention and response strategy. You may learn more about social distancing by watching this video.
MARCH 12 INFORMATION SESSION
If you were not able to attend or watch the live-streamed OSU Community Information Session, we encourage you to watch it here. We will continue to provide the OSU community updates and ways to stay well.
Stay informed!
COVID-19 resources and information may be found on this website. The information is updated regularly.
Be well!
Dan Larson
Vice Provost for Student Affairs
OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator