Emerging Infectious Diseases: Planning & Response

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by germs (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) that enter the body, multiply, and can cause an infection.

Emerging means infections that have increased recently or are threatening to increase in the near future and that can cause an outbreak, epidemic, or even a pandemic.

These incidents of infections could be:

completely new (like COVID-19, or MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).
completely new to an area (like chikungunya in Florida and Texas).
reappearing in an area (like dengue in Florida and Texas).
caused by bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics, like MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), C. difficile, or drug-resistant TB.

During any emerging infectious disease incident the College will prioritize your health and safety while delivering the best possible St. Olaf experience through all the ups and downs, and we remain ready to adapt and respond if conditions change.

Regardless of vaccination status, you should follow the current CDC guidelines and self-isolate from others. Please inform your close contacts, and wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others.

Seek medical attention immediately for trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face, or any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. If you ever have a medical or mental health emergency while in isolation, please call 911.

Inform your supervisor.
It is your responsibility to tell your supervisor that you will miss work, and when your isolation period ends. Please discuss with your supervisor your ability (or inability) to work remotely during this period; review the Remote Work Resources for more information.
Any questions regarding sick leave should be directed to Human Resources.

Return home if you are able.
Self-isolate in your room if you can not return home.
Contact Residence Life via Public Safety (507-786-3666).
Contact your professors, class deans, employment supervisors, etc.
- It is your responsibility to tell them that you will miss classes/work due to a positive test result, and when your isolation period ends.
Mask. You should wear a KN95/N95/KF94 mask when leaving your residence hall room.
Meal Pick-Up Instructions.
- Pick up your daily meal(s) through Stav Hall from 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. unless stated otherwise.
- You will pick up dinner for that night and lunch the following day, plus have access to a continental breakfast items if it coincides with your meal plan.
- If you need assistance with your meals, please contact Residence Life via Public Safety 507-786-3666.
Medical attention while in isolation.
- If you would like guidance from a medical provider, call Health Services at 507-786-3063. In the case of an emergency, contact the Northfield ER at 507-646-1101 or dial 911.
- Another option for you is Timely Care, a telehealth program for students that provides FREE 24/7 medical and mental telehealth care.
On-campus counseling services. The following are accessible to you upon request: Counseling Center, College Ministry Office, and Wellness Center.
Getting outside. You can go outside to relax, study, etc., but at a time when campus is not terribly busy (be smart about avoiding changes between classes or other busy times).

Please follow CDC guidelines, which state the following:

Wear a KN95/N95/KF94 mask in public, indoor settings and watch for symptoms until 10 days after your last exposure to someone with COVID-19.
Take a COVID-19 test on Day 6 from the date of exposure even if you don’t have symptoms.
Continue to wear a KN95/N95/KF94 mask through day 10.

If you test positive, regardless of vaccination status, you should follow the current CDC guidelines and review the “If You Test Positive” information above.

If you are sick and think that you might be contagious (e.g., sneezing, coughing, feverish), please stay home.

Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others in public. It is good practice, and a courtesy to others, to wear a mask if you must be in public while you feel unwell.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 then you should take a COVID-19 test.

Students:

Contact Health Services or Timely Care for assistance.
Contact your professors, supervisors, etc. It is your responsibility to tell them that you will miss classes/work.

Students Meals.

Pick up your daily meal(s) through Stav Hall from 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. unless stated otherwise.
You will pick up dinner for that night and lunch the following day, plus have access to a continental breakfast items if it coincides with your meal plan.
If you need assistance with your meals, please contact Residence Life via Public Safety 507-786-3666.

The College does not require masks at this time if you are healthy, but strongly recommends having a supply on hand.

Individuals may require masks in their work spaces (classroom, office, etc).
You may wear a mask in settings that do not require them if you choose.
It is good practice, and a courtesy to others, to wear a mask if you must be in public while you feel unwell (even if you think it is simply a common cold).
The preferred type of mask is a high quality KN95/N95/KF94 mask. Such masks are available in the Bookstore or can be purchased locally (e.g., Menards) or online.

The College expects all community members to respect those who choose to wear a mask.

Free Tests
- MDH. You can order 8 free tests per household/mailing address from the MDH each month at https://sayyeshometest.org/ (you must provide a Minnesota address). Orders may be placed each calendar month (beginning on the 1st of each month).
- U.S. https://www.covid.gov/tests.
Tests For Sale
- Local Northfield pharmacies (in Cub, Family Fare, Sterling, Target, Walgreens, etc.) have tests for sale.
Vaccinations
- Use the vaccines.gov website to make an appointment to receive the updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies across the nation, including our local Northfield pharmacies.