COVID-19 Health-Related FAQs

WHAT ARE RECOMMENDED CLEANING PRACTICES FOR SURFACES THAT COULD HARBOR THE CORONAVIRUS?

According to the CDC, "Community members can practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (i.e. tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks) with household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants that are appropriate for the surface, following label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product."

High-touch areas such as table or desktops, doorknobs, remote controls, counters, etc. should be disinfected at least daily. Most regular cleaners are effective against coronavirus if used as directed (including bleach and Lysol).

Kent State University has also posted additional information that may be helpful because of the relevance to the university community: 

• Cleaning enhancements and requirements are in place for faculty and staff.
• Dining halls will have protocols in place.
• Residence halls will have protocols in place.
• CDC Guidance on Cleaning and Disinfecting your Facility

How can you tell the difference between Coronavirus (COVID-19), the common cold and the flu? Check out the Ohio Department of Health Fact Sheet, to compare the differences. 

Access the Cold, Flu or COVID-19 Fact Sheet (PDF)  CDC Guidance on the Difference Between the Flu and COVID-19

if an Employee Tests Positive

When an employee in a department tests positive for COVID-19, that individual must contact the Covid Response Team, who will work to identify their close contacts.

• Anyone who is COVID-19 positive must be isolated for 10 days from the first day of symptoms or 10 days from the date of testing if showing no symptoms, or until that person is released by their  local health department.
• The employee should inform their supervisor of the required isolation and when they are expected to return. 
• If an employee is ill and cannot work, they must use sick leave for their absence during isolation. 

Isolation

As a general rule, if the employee is able to work  effectively from home during isolation, they should be allowed to do so. 

• Employees in this circumstance should discuss their options with their supervisor and all cases should be reviewed on an individual basis.
• If the employee cannot work effectively from home due to the nature of their job, they must use sick leave for this absence

Close Contacts

The Covid Response Team or the local health department will notify close contacts of the COVID-19 positive individual of their exposure. 

• Close contacts who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic will continue to engage in normal work practices and adherence to the Flashes Safe Eight principles.  
• An unvaccinated individual who was a close contact of someone with COVID-19 will need to be quarantined for 10 days (seven days with negative tests) and released at the end of that period if there are no symptoms. 
• If symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider.

Quarantine

As a general rule, if the employee is able to work  effectively from home during quarantine, they should be allowed to do so. 

• Employees in this circumstance should discuss their options with their supervisor and all cases should be reviewed on an individual basis. 
• If the employee cannot work effectively from home due to the nature of their job, they are required to use sick leave for this absence due to quarantining.

Please Note

1. Because of our Flashes Safe Eight safety principles, there is no need for a department to transition to work from home operations if a colleague in the area tests positive for COVID-19. 
2. Only close contacts will be notified with quarantine instructions.
3. It may be necessary to issue a health alert to a department, at the discretion of the health department.

Find all relevant information on our COVID Response Team and reporting webpage.

The COVID Response Team works closely with the local health departments in the area to manage outbreaks on campus.

• When there is a case that is reported on campus, the COVID Response Team and/or the local health department will follow up with the positive case and any close contacts that were identified.
  • When necessary, health alerts will be sent to students to let them know of potential exposures in classrooms or in the residence halls.
  • The health alerts will include information on next steps such as COVID testing and preventative measures that you can take after a potential exposure.
• If you have any questions about the health alerts contact the COVID Response Team at 330-672-2525 or the Kent City Health Department at 330-678-8109.

What is novel coronavirus?

The 2019 novel coronavirus, commonly known as a coronavirus or COVID-19, is a virus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers this a serious public health concern, based on current information, the immediate health risk from a coronavirus to the general American public is considered low at this time. Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions.

For additional information, visit the CDC website

What are the symptoms?

COVID-19 symptoms include cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat or a new loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

How does it spread?

Coronavirus disease 2019 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, which means to become infected, people generally must be within six feet of someone who is contagious and come into contact with these droplets. Symptoms of COVID-19 generally appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Reported cases have ranged from mild illness (similar to a common cold) to severe pneumonia that requires hospitalization.

Health experts are still learning the details about how this new coronavirus spreads. Other coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others through:

• COVID-19 is typically spread in three ways:
• Breathing in air when close to an infected individual who is exhaling small droplets or particles that contain the virus.
• Having small droplets and particles that contain the virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth especially through sprays from a cough or sneeze.
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
• For more information on COVID-19 transmission, visit the CDC website.

How can I prevent it?

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 vaccines help protect you from getting COVID-19. As of August 27, 2021, Kent State issued a COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Access Kent State communications to see what has been shared with the university community. Or access Kent State's requirement and guidelines page for more information.

Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

If you are interested in getting vaccinated for COVID-19, please call DeWeese Health Center at 330-672-2322 to schedule an appointment. DeWeese Health Center currently has Moderna and Pfizer vaccines available.

Wearing a facial covering, social distancing, washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes, disinfecting high touch surfaces, and monitoring for symptoms are all important prevention methods as well.

Find various health resources, wellness resources and a listing of external resources on our Health Resources web page.

What should I do if I feel ill?

Kent State GUIDELINES

 Kent State University requires university community members to contact the COVID Response Team in certain instances.

Other Best Practices 

If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, please find other guidance about best practices on the CDC website.

Monitor your symptoms

• Symptoms of COVID-19 fever, cough or other symptoms.
• Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider and local health department. Your local health authorities may give instructions on checking your symptoms and reporting information.
• Visit the CDC website for more information. 

Related FAQ: COVID-19 Occurences, Reporting and Testing: What do you need to know?

Anyone involved in international travel should follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for international travel.  We are asking those that are traveling internationally to follow current CDC guidance. 

Access the current CDC guidance.

Please call the COVID Response Team at 330-672-2525 or email us at covid@kent.edu to discuss your plans and any needs we can assist you with as you plan for your quarantine period. A member of the COVID Response Team will coordinate instructions or recommendations for your individual situation.

Find all relevant information on our COVID Response Team and reporting webpage. You can also access our situational checker and guidelines using the button below.  Find out about COVID-19 Testing Options

Although the overall risk of severe illness is low, pregnant individuals or recently pregnant individuals are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 when compared to non-pregnant individuals.

Some children have developed a rare but serious disease that is linked to COVID-19 called multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). The best ways to protect unvaccinated family members, including children who cannot get vaccinated, is to mask indoors in public and to get vaccinated yourself to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Infections in children have been reported, including in very young children.

For more information, the CDC has developed these fact sheets:

• “Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Pregnancy.” 
• “Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and Children.” 
• “Interim Guidance on Breastfeeding for a Mother Confirmed or Under Investigation For COVID-19.”
• COVID-19 Infections Among Children

What is "social distancing" and “physical distancing” and why is it used? 

Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping six feet of space (or two arm lengths) between yourself and other people outside of your home.

In addition to everyday steps to prevent COVID-19, keeping space between you and others is one of the best tools we have to avoid being exposed to this virus and slowing its spread locally and across the country and world.

Limit close contact with others outside your household in indoor and outdoor spaces. Since people can spread the virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay away from others when possible, even if you—or they—have no symptoms. Social distancing is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Please visit the CDC website for more information. 
 

Travel can increase your chance of getting or spreading COVID-19. Anyone traveling should carefully review the continuously updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance regarding travel. 

The CDC’s travel website offers detailed information about airline travel, both foreign and domestic, and other travel.

Kent State Guidelines

Kent State requires university community members to contact the COVID Response Team in certain instances. Please get familiar with Kent State's COVID-19 reporting guidelines. 

Other Best Practices

Please visit the CDC website for updated information related to your specific travel questions.

University Health Services is open and available to answer questions about COVID-19 and safe practices at 330-672-2322, or after hours, contact the Kent State Nurse Line at 330-672-2326. Another option for additional information, is to visit the COVID Response Team web page.