The dashboard is expected to be operational prior to the first day of classes, the email stated.
In his essay “Reopening the UNC Campus,” Thomas wrote that trust, communication and transparency between the University and its people are essential for individuals to practice and maintain effective disease control measures.
“We are all feeling these deep emotions,” Thomas told The Daily Tar Heel. “And when we are communicated to in a way that is lacking emotion, there is this intuitive sense that they're not getting it, they're not feeling what I'm feeling.”
Building trust between students, faculty, staff and the University would be essential in garnering compliance to health and safety guidelines, Thomas said.
Here's how testing will work:
Daily health monitoring
According to Carolina Together, if students, faculty or staff experience any of the following symptoms, they should not attend class or work and should call their medical provider for further guidance. These symptoms should be monitored daily before going to campus:
- Having new muscle aches that are not related to another medical condition or activity.
- Having a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Having a sore throat, runny nose and/or congestion that is not related to another medical condition.
- Having a new or worsening cough that is not related to another medical condition or activity.
- Having shortness of breath that is not related to another medical condition.
- Having recent (less than five days) loss of smell and/or taste.
- Having a new onset of vomiting or diarrhea that is not related to another medical condition.
- Having had recent close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Having any one of these symptoms, according to Media Relations, is grounds for consulting a medical provider. This provider can then determine whether COVID-19 testing or isolation is needed.
Criteria for testing
According to Carolina Together, the University is following CDC guidelines for determining which individuals are tested. The qualifications are listed below:
- Individuals exhibiting symptoms for COVID-19.
- Individuals who do not have symptoms, but have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
- Individuals who are in a CDC-defined high risk group.
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The website recommends that University employees, except for health care and COVID-19 researchers, request COVID-19 testing through their primary care physician.
Tests offered
UNC Media Relations said in an email that the University is offering swab testing, specifically “polymerase chain swab testing,” for students at Campus Health and for employees by referral through the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic.
Both Campus Health and the UEOHC will not be offering antibody testing, according to Media Relations. If interested in that testing, individuals can check with their healthcare provider to see if they offer antibody tests.
The testing process
According to Media Relations, students are encouraged to make an appointment for testing before going to Campus Health, but walk-ins are allowed if the student meets the criteria for testing.
When students arrive at Campus Health, they will be screened for symptoms and have their temperature taken. Students will then be tested in an area designated for COVID-19 testing.
Testing positive
When a student tests positive for COVID-19, Campus Health will work alongside local health departments to conduct close contact tracing, according to Carolina Together. Environment, Health and Safety and UEOHC will conduct contact tracing for employees who test positive, focusing specifically on contact that occurred in the workplace or on campus.
Any student, faculty or staff that tests positive through a health care provider off-campus must notify Campus Health or the UEOHC. Students living on or off campus should notify Campus Health of a positive COVID-19 test result by calling Campus Health or through their patient portal.
According to Carolina Together, individuals who test positive will then receive instructions on whether they will be in isolation or quarantine, which could last up to 14 days. Isolation is for those who have tested positive or are presumed positive, and quarantine is for those who have been exposed to the virus but have not been diagnosed, according to Carolina Together.
Parker and Craige North residence halls will house on-campus residents requiring isolation or quarantine.
During this time, individuals may not attend class, go to work or be on campus unless seeking medical care.
university@dailytarheel.com
Emma GeisEmma Geis is the 2023-24 copy chief at The Daily Tar Heel. She has previously served as a copy board member and summer copy chief. Emma is a fifth-year pursuing a double major in journalism and media and African, African American and Diaspora Studies.