COVID-19 Guidance

For those persons who are worried about an exposure but who have no symptoms, a “home kit” with instructions will be available to perform at home (3 tests over 3-6 days) to determine whether the illness has been acquired. Anyone who is positive will return to the Alvin V. Blount Jr.Student Health Center for a PCR test to confirm their positivity.

Those persons who have symptoms of respiratory illness will be tested in the clinic for Covid and influenza, and then be seen by a medical provider to determine the most appropriate treatment.

Isolation for positive persons will continue to be as directed by the Centers for Disease Control and can be accessed with the QR code below.

Re-entry testing to return to campus is no longer required.

MASKS/FACE COVERINGS 

Masks are optional in all indoor settings on campus including the classroom except for the Health Care Facilities. Masks are strongly recommended for those who have chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems. 

 
TESTING 

Free Covid-19 Rapid Antigen tests are available through the Student Health Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Testing and clinical evaluation will be focused on anyone who is having symptoms of Covid-19. Students concerned about exposure but without symptoms will be given rapid antigen home tests to use sequentially to determine if their exposure resulted in illness. 

Isolation and Exposure Guidance  

If you have been exposed to Covid-19:  

-If you have no symptoms: 

Start counting from Day 1 

  • Day 0 is the first day of symptoms
  • Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms began

Take Precautions if your exposure is from your roommate or a close contact. Wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) any time you are around others inside your room or indoors in public. Improve the ventilation in your room. Clean the high touch surfaces in your room (doorknobs, light switches, shared countertops, etc.) while wearing gloves OR wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds afterwards. Do not eat around anyone who is positive. Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask. 

Test as soon as possible. The Student Health center will provide home tests for you to use on days 1, 3, 5, and 7, and if you remain negative, you may assume you did not catch Covid-19 from this exposure. If you develop symptoms within 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks) after the date of your last exposure, get tested/evaluated immediately.
 

-If you develop symptoms:  

Watch for symptoms: 

  • fever (100.4°F or greater) 
  • Cough 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Fatigue or headache 
  • Wear a mask as soon as you develop symptoms and isolate until testing evaluation at the SHC (Student Health Center). 
  • If you choose to take a home test without evaluation at the clinic, you must have 2 negative tests 48 hours (about 2 days) apart before you can end isolation.

If you test positive for COVID-19 

North Carolina A&T State University is following the guidance of the CDC. If you feel sick, stay home, and get tested. Testing is available at the Student Health Center Monday-Friday 8am-6pm.  

Stay home and isolate according to CDC Guidelines Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC 

  • Isolate for at least 5 days and wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days. 
  • Be sure to notify any close contacts and encourage them to watch for symptoms 
  • The CDC recommends that you isolate for 5 full days and that you may end isolation on day 6 if you have had no fever for 24 hours and your other symptoms are improving. 
  • We recommend that you test with a COVID-19 rapid antigen test upon completing isolation to be sure you are no longer contagious. 
  • Email your professors so they know you will not be attending in-person classes. You may provide them with a copy of your positive test from the Student Health Center if verification of necessary absences is requested. 
  • Wear a well-fitting mask if you are around other people 
  • Do not travel 
  • If you become concerned about your symptoms, please feel free to call the Student Health Center at 336-334-3880 to request a telehealth visit.  
  • If you take a test off campus, email a copy of your results to health@ncat.edu to receive guidance from the Student Health Center professional staff.  

 

If you are a residential student and you test positive for COVID-19 

  • We have limited isolation space on campus that is reserved for the roommates of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 AND have a compromised immune system (asthma, diabetes, sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS, etc.) 
  • If you are a residential student, it is strongly recommended that you return home to complete your isolation period.  
  • You may also choose to isolate in your residence hall room. You will need to mask around others for 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks). Wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) any time you are around others inside your room or indoors in public. Improve the ventilation in your room. Clean the high touch surfaces in your room (doorknobs, light switches, shared countertops, etc.) while wearing gloves OR wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds afterwards.  
  • You may only leave to obtain take-out meals and for medical care. You may use your normal bathroom or showering facility. Refrain from having visitors. Do not access public areas in your residence hall such as kitchens & communal area. 
  • Please visit the CDC’s website for additional information Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC 
  • Email and questions or concerns health@ncat.edu 

Obtaining Meals While in Isolation 

  • If you choose to isolate in your residence hall room, you may only leave to obtain take-out meals and for medical care. Please call the Student Health Center prior to your arrival 336-334-7880 
  • Wear a well-fitting mask such as a N-95 or KN-95 mask while around others 
  • You must obtain your meals to-go and eat your food without exposing others to COVID-19 
  • You may order meals to your residential facility through Starship (using your flex dollars, dining dollars, or credit card) Grub Hub, or UberEATS 

Important Numbers 

  • If you require emergency medical assistance, call 911 
  • If you have a medical concern that is not an emergency health@ncat.edu or call 336-334-3880 

Wastewater Surveillance Testing 

NCAT will continue to conduct wastewater surveillance testing through the department of research to assist the Alvin V. Blount Jr. Student Health Center with identifying high concentration levels of COVID-19 on campus. National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) – a new public health tool to understand COVID-19 spread in a community | CDC