COVID-19 Information

 

It is no longer mandatory to report symptoms, cases or exposures to the HWC and students will now be asked to communicate directly with their professors/instructors regarding any necessary absence(s) following a positive test, as they would with any communicable illness.  Home COVID-19 tests may be used as a valid excuse to isolate and be absent from class.  Any ATU student or employee can schedule a COVID-19 test by calling 479-968-0329 or stopping by the ATU Health and Wellness Center, Doc Bryan 119.

If you tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status

  • You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
    • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
    • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
  • It is no longer recommended by the CDC that individuals isolate for five days after testing positive for COVID-19.
  • When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
    • Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
    • If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
    • For more information and examples, see https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html. 
 

Updated CDC Recommendations for respiratory viruses:

CDC released updated recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, which can cause significant health impacts and strain on hospitals and health care workers. CDC is making updates to the recommendations now because the U.S. is seeing far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID, and RSV.

COVID-19 Vaccination Info: 

ATU Health and Wellness Center is a vaccination provider, but does NOT currently have vaccine in stock. Updated bivalent vaccines were issued mid-September 2023 and are available at the local health unit and some pharmacies.  If you have questions about the updated vaccines or to schedule a vaccine appointment, please call your local health unit or pharmacy.  The Pope County Health Unit can be reached by calling 479-968-6004.

For additional information regarding COVID-19 vaccination: