Health Services Update

Seasonal influenza is an infection that has similar symptoms as COVID and includes sudden onset of a high fever, cough, body aches, severe fatigue, chills, and sore throat. In the past few years, the influenza transmission rate has been lower than average due to the mitigation efforts for COVID-19. With restrictions loosening, it is expected that this year will be a higher than average influenza season. 

There are easy ways to lessen your chance of getting influenza. The number one protection is through yearly vaccination, and there will be an influenza vaccination clinic on campus October 12 and 13. By getting a yearly influenza vaccination, you are not only protecting yourself from getting ill, you are helping to protect the campus community. Also, influenza is spread by respiratory droplets, so make sure you are covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands frequently, and wear a mask if you are not feeling well.  We also recommend carrying hand sanitizer with you and using it frequently to stop the spread of germs around campus.

If you think you may have influenza, make an appointment at Health Services. We are able to perform a rapid influenza test ($25/test) in order to get a timely diagnosis and treatment plan in place to get you feeling better soon.

COVID-19 Updates
New COVID-19 cases, week of 9/11/22-9/17/22: 23

• Need more tests, you can order free at home tests from the Minnesota Department of Health: When you enter your address, you will need to put in your room number  Order Your Free At-Home Rapid Tests / COVID-19 Updates and Information – State of Minnesota (mn.gov)
• Use our COVID-19 reporting form to report symptoms, positive tests, or vaccination/booster updates.
• When to test: If you feel ill with COVID like symptoms, take a COVID test (day 1 – 24 hours post onset of symptoms). If the test is negative, repeat the test 48 hours later (day 3).  If you test negative and are still concerned you may have COVID-19, you may choose to test again 48 hours after the second test (day 5).
• Exposed to COVID-19: Start wearing a mask right away and test five full days (day 5) after the last time you were in close contact with a person with COVID-19. Your last day of contact is day zero. If your test is negative on day 5, repeat another test 24 to 48 hours later (on day 6 or 7) and continue to wear a mask for 10 full days.
• Still have questions about how and when to use a self test? Check out this video from the CDC When to use a self test