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Public Health Advisory

COVID FAQs

FAU SHS is committed to the health and wellness of FAU students, staff and faculty. We are working closely with the university to monitor the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

  • Individuals with COVID-19 have a wide array of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. These symptoms may include:
    • Fever (temperature at or above 100.4°F) or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea
  • If you are experiencing symptoms:
    • You must report this to FAU SHS. Please call FAU SHS at 561-297-3512 to speak with a member of the clinical team.

 

Where can I get medical care?

 

What do I do if I am sick?

 

What is isolation?

  • Isolation separates an individual who may have coronavirus (either tested positive or probable COVID based on symptoms) from people who are not sick. Isolation typically lasts at least 10 days.
  • Isolation requires that the person with COVID-19 stay away from others as much as possible for the entire isolation period.
    • Stay home unless you are seeking medical care.
    • This may require others to bring you food and beverages (if you are a housing student, this can be arranged through your meal plan).
    • If you are in shared housing, it is best to avoid shared living spaces and to wipe down all high touch areas with sanitizing wipes. Use a separate bathroom if possible.
    • If you must enter shared spaces, wear a mask the whole time (do not eat in shared spaces).
    • Avoid contact with all other household members and pets.

 

What is quarantine?

  • Self-quarantine is a way for individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19 through close contact with an infected individual to limit their contact with others for a period of time to determine whether they have COVID-19.
  • Quarantine can feel inconvenient and challenging but your adherence will help keep the FAU campus and community safe.
    • Duration of Quarantine: Quarantine typically lasts 14 days, however it is possible to discontinue quarantine earlier. You may not discontinue your quarantine until you have been cleared by SHS. If you are eligible for a shorter quarantine, you will still need to monitor your temperature and symptoms for the full 14 days AND respond to the daily symptom check email or text that you will be receiving from the contact tracking team. SHS will review all of these options with you if you are in quarantine. However, please note that FAU SHS is encouraging most staff/students to proceed with the early release after 10 days unless there is a very high-risk exposure.
    • Test Based Clearance: You can get a COVID-19 PCR test on day 6 or later and if you receive a negative test, your quarantine can end after completion of day 7, with earliest possible clearance on day 8. You will need to submit your negative test result to FAU SHS for review.
    • Early Release: Quarantine can end after completion of day 10 if you have not had any symptoms.
    • Traditional Quarantine: You can remain in quarantine for the full 14 days. This is the safest option.

 

What is the difference in ending quarantine on day 8-10 or day 14?

  • The difference is that you would increase the risk of transmitting COVID to the people around you by 10%. Said another way, 1 in 10 individuals who end their quarantine EARLY will turn positive for COVID up to day 14. Therefore, it is so important to continue to monitor symptoms even if you end your quarantine early.

 

Why do I need to quarantine if my contact tested negative or is only a “presumed positive case”?

  • Testing for COVID is not perfect. Very often individuals who have COVID test negative. Therefore, if you are exposed to someone with possible COVID, we are asking that you quarantine regardless of your contact’s test result.

 

I was diagnosed with influenza/flu. Is it possible that I also have COVID?

  • Yes, co-infections (meaning infection with two or more organisms) is possible. If you are influenza/flu positive, we would recommend that you get tested for COVID. You should also isolate for 7 days as long as your COVID PCR test is negative. If you have questions, please call us at FAU SHS and we can assist.

 

How do I get to the SHS back entrance I was asked to use?

  • https://fau.edu/shs/back.php
  • Please only use this entrance if you were asked to when you made your appointment.
  • The link includes maps and pictures for Boca, Davie, and Jupiter campuses. 
 Last Modified 2/17/21