Student Health Services at Moffitt Health Center
COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols
Table of Contents
Purpose
Protect Yourself and Others
Self-Screening for Symptoms
COVID-19 Case Management
Medical Protocol for Testing/Symptoms
Staff Supervisor Notification/Student Academic Notification
Long COVID or Post COVID Conditions
Close Contact Exposure
Travel Recommendations
PURPOSE
This document provides guidance specific to the University of Southern Mississippi that will allow departments to manage operations in a safer and more effective manner throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective is not to eliminate all potential risks, but to provide a systematic and feasible path for operation within the pandemic environment.
The guidance in this document is subject to change based on updated CDC guidelines. The University community will need to remain flexible, patient, and empathetic as we move forward.
Protect Yourself and Others
VACCINES
COVID-19 vaccinations are encouraged and available through Moffitt Health Center, Gulf Park Health Center or local healthcare providers. COVID-19 vaccinations do not prevent you from getting COVID-19, but reduce your risk of progression to serious illness, hospitalization, or death.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Vaccines
You may schedule Pfizer vaccinations including booster doses at Moffitt Health Center through the online health portal on the MHC website or by calling 601-266-5390.
Schedule an Appointment - Hattiesburg Campus
Schedule an Appointment - Gulf Park Campus
Schedule an Appointment in Your Current Area
Hattiesburg Campus COVID Vaccine Stats
MASKS
Face masks are no longer required in any public spaces unless you have COVID-19 symptoms, a positive COVID-19 test, or close contact exposure to someone with COVID-19. Healthcare settings may require face masks during times of high community transmission.
However, you may choose to wear a mask at any time. The CDC recommendation for mask use is fluid, depending on the level of community transmission and a person’s risk for serious illness.
COVID-19 COMMUNITY LEVELS
At all COVID-19 Community Levels:
- Stay up to date on vaccination, including recommended booster doses.
- Avoid contact with people who have a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
- Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
- Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.
TO CHECK YOUR CURRENT COVID-19 COMMUNITY LEVEL
Individual-Level Prevention Steps You Can Take Based on Your COVID-19 Community Level:
MEDIUM AND HIGH
When the COVID-19 Community Level is Medium or High:
- If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a well-fitting mask when indoors in public.
- If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider testing to detect infection before contact and consider wearing a mask when indoors with them.
HIGH
When the COVID-19 Community Level is High:
- Wear a well-fitting mask.
- If you are at high risk of getting very sick, consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed.
HAND HYGIENE
Maintain good personal hygiene by washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
COUGHING/SNEEZING HYGIENE
Always remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have tissues, the CDC recommends you cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow, not into your hands. Throw tissue in the trash and immediately wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
VENTILATION
Ventilate your home by getting fresh air into your home, filtering the air that is there, and improving air flow. Improving ventilation can help you reduce virus particles in your home and keep COVID-19 from spreading.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Improving Home Ventilation
Self-Screening for Symptoms
USM encourages all faculty, staff, and students to self-screen each day for symptoms of COVID-19 before coming onto any University property.
Daily self-screening questions include:
- Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms related to COVID-19
- Fever above 100.4° F
- Coughing
- Chills
- Muscle pain/body aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- New loss of the sense of taste or smell
- Congestion/runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If an individual has any of these symptoms and they are not due to a preexisting underlying chronic health condition, you are encouraged to wear a mask and contact Moffitt Health Center, Gulf Park Health Center or a local healthcare provider.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - COVID Symptoms
COVID-19 Case Management
TESTING
Individuals with concerning symptoms are encouraged to contact Moffitt Health Center, Gulf Park Health Center or a local healthcare provider to discuss their symptoms and schedule an appointment for testing. Moffitt Health Center has full diagnostic (Rapid PCR and rapid antigen nasal swab testing) and surveillance (rapid antigen nasal swab and antibody blood) testing available.
While an individual is waiting for test results, one must remain at home or in a residence hall room in self-isolation. Any person(s) tested at Moffitt Health Center will be notified if their COVID-19 test is positive.
Free Home COVID-19 Test Kits
Families can receive up to 8 free COVID-19 home tests (4 kits with two tests each) per month simply by picking them up at any county health department while supplies last. These rapid antigen tests are convenient, and can let you get treatment and protect others quickly should you become ill with COVID-19.
Find a county health department near you.
Order free kits by mail at www.covid.gov.
Hattiesburg Campus COVID Testing Stats
POSITIVE CASE AND ISOLATION
Faculty, staff, and students who test positive for COVID-19 and live off-campus should isolate at their home or apartment for the 5-day isolation period. They should follow the instructions provided by Moffitt Health Center, Gulf Park Health Center or local healthcare provider.
Students who test positive for COVID-19 and live on-campus will be contacted by USM Housing & Residence Life to discuss options for their 5-day isolation period.
If at any point during self-isolation, the condition rapidly worsens with severe symptoms requiring emergency care, please call 911 for immediate help. Inform the 911 operator that you are positive for COVID-19.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Steps When Sick
MEDICAL PROTOCOL BASED ON TESTING AND REPORTED SYMPTOMS
Immediate isolation for a minimum of 5 days since symptoms began.
May discontinue isolation once criteria are met.
Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
Immediate isolation for a minimum of 5 days since testing positive.
May discontinue isolation once criteria are met.
Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
May discontinue isolation once fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
If suspicion for COVID-19 remains, return to a healthcare facility for repeat testing.
TREATMENTS AND MEDICATIONS
If you test positive for COVID-19 and are high risk for serious illness, treatments are available from Moffitt Health Center, Gulf Park Health Center or local healthcare provider that can reduce your chances of hospitalization and death.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Treatments for Severe Illness
DISCONTINUING ISOLATION
*If you had no symptoms, you may end isolation after 5 days.*
Persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 may discontinue home isolation after meeting ALL THREE of these criteria:
- No fevers (temperature >100.4° F) for at least 24 hours (that is no fever without the use of a medicine that reduces fevers such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen); AND
- Symptoms (if present) have improved (for example, cough or shortness of breath have improved); AND
- At least 5 days have passed since the day your symptoms first appeared or the day you tested positive if you have no symptoms.
Continue to wear a mask for an additional 5 days. You do NOT need to be retested for COVID-19 to be cleared to return to work or school. Clearance is based on meeting the three criteria listed above.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Isolation
STAFF SUPERVISOR NOTIFICATION/STUDENT REQUEST FOR ACADEMIC NOTIFICATION
Employees who test positive for COVID-19 must notify their direct supervisor to keep them informed and aware of the employee’s return to work.
Students must notify their instructors and Dean of Students Office in order to keep them informed and aware of their absences. This link may be used to complete a Request for Academic Notification through the Dean of Students Office.
LONG COVID or POST COVID CONDITIONS
Some people who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as post-COVID conditions (PCC) or long COVID.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Long-Term-Effects
Close Contact Exposure
The CDC no longer recommends quarantine for persons who have had a close contact exposure to COVID-19 if they have NO symptoms regardless of vaccination status. The CDC does recommend being tested if symptoms develop within 10 days post exposure. To learn more about steps to take after testing visit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - If You Were Exposed
Travel Recommendations
State, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place. Check your destination’s COVID-19 situation here before traveling.