COVID-19 Guidance

In January 2023, testing services for this virus will change. 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. The university will continue to provide masks to anyone who requests them. KN95 masks continue to be the recommended mask for good protection against COVID-19. Masks are strongly recommended for those who have chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems.

· Employees, masks can be obtained from your building representative.

· Students may obtain masks from the information desk in the Student Center or through your residence hall director.

TESTING

Covid-19 testing is available through the Student Health Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Testing will be focused on anyone who is having symptoms of Covid-19 or has been exposed to COVID-19. Additionally, as recommended by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the university will continue to recommend testing focused on areas of identified clusters. The university is also continuing wastewater surveillance testing efforts to assist in early detection of COVID-19 spikes on campus.

Isolation and Exposure Guidance

If you had symptoms

You may end isolation after day 5 if:

  • You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication)
  • Your symptoms are improving

If you still have fever or your other symptoms have not improved, continue to isolate until they improve.

Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get extremely sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11. Remember to wear a high-quality mask when indoors around others at home and in public and not go places where you are unable to wear a mask until you are able to discontinue masking (see below). For travel guidance, see CDC’s Travel webpage.

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 8a-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
  • We recommend that you test with a COVID-19 rapid antigen test to be sure you are not contagious 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
  • 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 336-334-7880 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. 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 336-3343880

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