The university's approach to COVID-19 continues to evolve in accordance with updated public health guidance and the widespread availability of vaccines, face coverings, tests and treatments to prevent and mitigate the impact and spread of the disease.
Vaccination strongly encouraged: All members of the campus community and those who attend events on campus are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated for Covid-19 with a complete initial vaccine series and any eligible boosters. The Ashland County Health Department offers free vaccines and boosters.
Monitor symptoms daily: Monitor yourself for symptoms of Covid-19 or any illness. If you are ill, self-isolate. Students should contact the Student Health Center via phone (419-289-5200) or email (healthcenter@ashland.edu). Employees are encouraged to see their healthcare provider.
- Symptoms include
- Fever 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
Testing: Covid-19 testing is readily available through local pharmacies, home test kits, and healthcare providers. Symptomatic and exposed individuals are encouraged to be tested for Covid-19. Any student who tests positive for Covid-19 should notify the Student Health Center. A negative rapid home test (or antigen test) will need to be confirmed with a PCR test if the person has symptoms, thus any student with symptoms should contact the Student Health Center (as noted above) for evaluation.
Isolation: As recommended by the CDC and local health officials, all positive cases should fully isolate for a minimum of five days after the date of symptom onset (or date of positive test if asymptomatic), and up to 10 days if symptoms persist. Wear a well-fitting surgical or N95 type mask for a full 10 days after the date of illness onset. Students will be encouraged to return home to isolate but campus accommodations will be made for those who cannot return home.
Covid Exposure: Students who have been exposed to Covid-19 need to report their exposure to the Student Health Center. Official quarantine is no longer required. You will need to wear a well-fitting surgical or N95 type mask for 10 days after the date of exposure. Once 5 full days have passed, you will need to take a Covid test on day 6 and report those results to the Student Health Center at healthcenter@ashland.edu. If symptoms develop during the 10 day post exposure period or you test positive, please self-isolate and contact the Student Health Center.
Face coverings: All campus community members are welcome to wear a face covering at any time and high-quality masks are widely available. Face coverings are required when receiving services in the Student Health Center.
Universal Infection Control Measures: Handwashing, good ventilation, use of outdoor spaces, frequent surface disinfection, and the use of face coverings are important measures to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
Know Your Risk: If you are at a higher risk for severe complications from Covid-19, please take additional precautions to reduce your likelihood of infection such as regular use of face-coverings and avoiding large gatherings when the community rate of transmission is elevated, etc.
This information is subject to change based upon local conditions and updated guidance from health authorities.