Dear Students,
It can be confusing to know who to contact for what when you have questions related to COVID-19. This week’s OC CARES communication provides you with the following resources and reminders:
- COVID-19 Exposure or Symptoms? Call Campus Safety First
- Don’t Ignore a Call from the 269 Area Code
- Could it Be COVID-19?
- Off Campus COVID Testing Sites
- FREE Vaccination Resources
- Sparrow COVID-19 Symptom Checker and Tele-Health Doctor Appointments
- Keep Calm, Take a Deep Breath and Listen
COVID-19 Exposure or Symptoms? Call Campus Safety First
Students are required to call Campus Safety at 269-749-7911 first and immediately to report any of the following:
- You have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19; or
- You experience any of the COVID-19 symptoms listed below.
Campus Safety will notify the Department of Residence Life, who will then contact you to begin making a plan that may include scheduling a COVID-19 testing appointment, isolation or quarantine. The Department of Residence Life will also provide you with the required medical excuse to submit to your instructors to ensure any absences from class are excused.
Calling Campus Safety at 269-749-7911 is the FIRST THING you should do.
Employees who experience COVID-19 symptoms should contact human resources for instructions and assistance.
Reminder: The 5 Steps to Take if You Exhibit Symptoms of COVID-19
- Students should contact Campus Safety (269-749-7911) and employees should contact human resources to report your symptoms.
- Do not come to work, class, athletic practice or competitions, or other campus activities.
- Return to your home, residence hall or stay in your room.
- A campus representative will contact you to arrange a COVID test as soon as possible.
- Students are to remain in their room or will be moved to a designated location until testing can be arranged.
Don’t Ignore a Call from the 269 Area Code
The Department of Residence Life will contact you by phone if you are identified as someone who is a close contact with someone suspected of a COVID-19 infection or who has tested positive for COVID-19. The call will come from the 269 area code. Don’t ignore a call from the 269 area code — it’s likely to be a member of Residence Life who is conducting contact tracing and trying to help you.
Could it Be COVID-19?
All students and employees should consider whether they are experiencing any of the following COVID-19 symptoms in advance of daily campus activities:
- Fever of 100.4 or higher or felt feverish
- New or worsening cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell or taste
- Runny nose or congestion
- Muscle aches
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Click here to compare COVID-19 symptoms with other common health issues.
Off Campus COVID Testing Sites
Anyone with signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested for COVID-19, even those who are fully vaccinated or have already had COVID-19. If you are off campus and choose to be tested, there are many locations to get tested at no cost. To find a test site, call the State of Michigan COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 and press 2 or click here.
FREE Vaccination Resources
Thinking you’d like to get the COVID-19 vaccination? Most pharmacies and a number of community organizations offer the FREE vaccination throughout the state of Michigan.
Text 438829
The easiest and quickest way to locate vaccination sites near you is to text your zip code to 438829. A service of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, within seconds you’ll receive a list of sites, the type of COVID-19 vaccination offered, if walk-ins are welcome and links to additional vaccination sites and information. You’ll even be asked if you need to schedule a free ride!
Olivet Pharmacy
Another convenient off-campus option is the Olivet Pharmacy, 116 N. Main St. Within walking distance of campus, the Olivet Pharmacy provides vaccinations by walk-in or appointment. Call 269-280-5005 or email olivetpharmacy1@gmail.com for details.
Sparrow COVID-19 Symptom Checker and Tele-Health Doctor Appointments
The University of Olivet and Sparrow Health System have partnered together to provide virtual health services through MySparrow to students, faculty and staff. MySparrow services include a free symptom checker to determine if COVID testing is needed; access to on-demand video visits with an urgent care provider from your smartphone, tablet or computer for non-emergencies; and access to test results.
Virtual health visits are available Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To schedule an appointment with a Sparrow medical provider, visit sparrow.org/olivetcollege and create an account. To ensure that your insurance plan participates with Sparrow, you are welcome to call 517-364-7999 to speak to a Sparrow billing representative in advance of your tele-health appointment. Click here to learn more about the on-demand video visits.
Keep Calm, Take a Deep Breath and Listen
If you experience COVID-19 symptoms or are identified as a close contact take a deep breath, slow down your thought process, listen and remain calm. Know that the Department of Residence Life is committed to your health and safety and will work with you to develop a plan if you are required to quarantine or isolate. Your instructors care about you too, and will excuse your absences (with appropriate documentation) and help you stay on track with your course work if you are required to quarantine or isolate.
Listening is key: Listen to your body if you are not feeling well. Listen to Campus Safety when you make your initial call if you experience COVID-19 symptoms. Listen to Residence Life when they call you if you require testing or are identified as a close contact. Listen to (or carefully read any communications from) your instructors when you contact them about absences and course work if you are required to quarantine or isolate.
We are here to help.
“In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.“ — Fred Rogers