Student Health Service and COVID-19

Lennar Foundation Medical Center
Until further notice, all care at Student Health will be by appointment only and will start with a telehealth visit. If needed, telehealth visits will be followed by in-person care. 

Future date telehealth appointments are available at mystudenthealth.miami.edu. Same day telehealth appointments are available by calling 305-284-9100.


The University's COVID-19 Response

For COVID-19 Concerns

  • For non-urgent issues, contact Student Health at studenthealth@miami.edu
  • For urgent assistance, contact Student Health at 305-284-9100 (including after hours)
  • For emergencies, students are urged to seek emergency care or dial 911

Contact SHS if you...

  • Have symptoms of COVID-19
  • Have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
  • Have tested positive for COVID-19 outside of Student Health
  • Have any other COVID-19 medical questions

Students who test positive for COVID-19 outside of Student Health or have been exposed to COVID-19 should complete the Student Health Service COVID-19 Self Report Form. 

Absence Verification:

If you are a professor looking to verify a student’s absence from in-person class due to isolation/quarantine or other health related issues or a student looking to notify your professor(s) of an excused absence from attending in-person class due to isolation/quarantine or other health related issues, please complete the Absence Verification survey. Student Health will only confirm the dates a student is excused from attending in-person classes, private health information will not be disclosed. No information will be shared until the student provides Student Health with authorization to disclose these dates. Students, please note that you will still need to coordinate directly with your professor(s) regarding class lectures and assignments.

Students can report concerns about unsafe behaviors of student groups or individual students to 'Canes Care for 'Canes.

Seeking Care & Testing

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COVID-19 Vaccine

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  • When will students receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

    As per CDC recommendations, initial University supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine have been allocated to healthcare personnel. Health science students (Medical, Nursing, Physical Therapy) who are participating in clinical care will receive communications directly from their school and/or departments about immunization availability. The COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be available for others sometime this Spring. Additional information with be communicated at a future date.

    For more information about the safety, eligibility, and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the CDC’s website. 

  • Is the vaccine safe?

    The Food and Drug Administration has granted the vaccine Emergency Use Authorization, which means that it has been evaluated and shown to be safe and effective. To gain approval, any vaccine must have been tested in large clinical trials, scientifically showing that it is indeed safe and efficacious against the coronavirus. In the clinical trials, any side effects recorded were generally mild, occurred in a small number of people, and usually resolved in a few days. If you have any questions about whether you should take the vaccine, please contact your health care provider.

    For more information about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Website.

  • What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

    COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

    Common side effects:

    On the arm where you got the shot:

    • Pain
    • Swelling

     

    Throughout the rest of your body:

    • Fever
    • Chills
    • Tiredness
    • Headache

     

    Visit the CDC's website for tips on managing the side effects from the vaccine.

    V-safe is a CDC smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Through v-safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you and get more information. And v-safe will remind you to get your second COVID-19 vaccine dose if you need one. When you get a COVID-19 vaccine, your healthcare provider will provide instructions on how to register and use v-safe.

  • Why should I get the COVID-19 vaccine when it’s available to me?

    We understand that some people may be concerned about getting vaccinated. While more COVID-19 vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized or approved for use. Safety is a top priority, and there are many reasons to get vaccinated: 

    COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19

    • All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19.
    • Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases and early data from clinical trials, experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.
    • Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

     

    COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to help build protection

    • COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications, and there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. And if you get sick, you could spread the disease to friends, family, and others around you.
    • Clinical trials of all vaccines must first show they are safe and effective before any vaccine can be authorized or approved for use, including COVID-19 vaccines. The known and potential benefits of a COVID-19 vaccine must outweigh the known and potential risks of the vaccine for use under what is known as an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). 
    • Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection, known as immunity. Current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection. However, experts don’t know for sure how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.

     

    COVID-19 vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic

    • Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.
    • The combination of getting vaccinated and following CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19.

     

    For more information about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Website.

  • If I already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated when it’s available?

    COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to you regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. You should not be required to have an antibody test before you are vaccinated.

    However, anyone currently infected with COVID-19 should wait to get vaccinated until after their illness has resolved and after they have met the criteria to discontinue isolation.

    Additionally, current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection. Therefore, people with a recent infection may delay vaccination until the end of that 90-day period if desired.

Travel Safety

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  • Prior to Travel

    It is important to have a plan to travel safely and to take steps to protect yourself and others. The CDC’s COVID-19 Travel website has important information to help you make a plan and provides tips for different types of travel.

    Make a detailed plan for traveling to and arriving at your destination. Check and abide by all local and federal guidelines regarding travel to your destination.

    Testing Prior to Spring 2021 Semester:

    All students will be required to test negative for COVID-19 before attending any in-person programs or classes on any campus. Testing will occur upon a student’s arrival to campus and students are asked to limit their activities until results are received. Click here for more information.

    If you get tested for COVID-19 prior to travel, remember that the test only reflects one point in time, there can be false negative results, and, in some cases, the virus may be contracted during travel. A negative test is not a license to end other preventative measures such as mask wearing and physical distancing.

  • Delaying Travel

    Becoming infected with COVID-19 prior to your departure may delay your travel plans. 

    Students who are sick, have recently tested positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 should delay travel to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others. You don’t want to miss out on a planned trip, but there are situations when cancelling or postponing travel makes sense for you and those you care about. Students in isolation or quarantine should delay their travel plans. If you have symptoms you are concerned about or have questions about traveling safely, you can contact Student Health. Learn more about when and for how long to delay travel to avoid spreading COVID-19. You can also reference this guide:

    Guide for delaying travel

     

  • During Travel

    • Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth through the duration of your travel.
    • Pack sufficient hand sanitizer, face coverings, and food or water in the event dining options on your route are closed.
    • If flying, the CDC recommends:
      • Washing your hands frequently, especially after security check-in
      • Requesting seats with empty spaces between yourself and other passengers, if possible
    • If driving, the CDC recommends:
      • Sanitizing surfaces like gas pumps before use
      • Planning to stop as infrequently as possible to avoid exposure on the road
    • Follow physical distancing measures. While you may not feel any symptoms, you may be carrying the virus.

  • International Travel

    Traveling internationally may require additional preparation. Please review the CDC’s COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination and the ISSS website before traveling. 

  • Arrival

    It is important to continue taking precautions after you travel, even if you feel well and do not have symptoms. Regardless of where you traveled or what you did during your trip, practice physical distancing, mask wearing, and handwashing upon your arrival. The most cautious approach upon arrival home is to quarantine for the first 14 days after arrival. This is especially important if there are vulnerable, higher risk individuals living in the home. If quarantine is not possible, stay physically distant from family household members, wear a face covering, and avoid close contact, including hugging and shaking hands, for the first 14 days home.

Self-Quarantine and Self-Isolation Guidance

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  • What is the difference between self-quarantine and self-isolation?

    Quarantine

    Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, and monitor their health. 

    Isolation

    Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (those who are sick with COVID-19 and those with no symptoms) from people who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick room” or area and using a separate bathroom (if available).

     

    Students who have been exposed or potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19 and those with symptoms or a positive test for COVID-19 will be advised to self-isolate or self-quarantine.

    Affected students will be advised to follow self-isolation and self-quarantine guidelines.

     

  • Where will self-isolation or self-quarantine occur for students?

    Residential Students: Please visit Housing and Residential Life's Quarantine and Isolation website for more information about quarantine and isolation spaces.

    Non-Residential Students: On campus quarantine and isolation spaces will not be available for non-residential students. These students should remain in their off campus housing as long as they are able to isolate/quarantine appropriately per CDC guidelines. Alternatively, students may choose to isolate/quarantine at a local hotel at their own expense. The University’s Travel Management office has partnered with several hotels to provide discounts.

  • How do I self-quarantine?

    Stay home and monitor your health

    • Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19
    • Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19
    • If possible, stay away others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19

     

    Review the CDC guidelines on self-quarantine and the Student Health guidelines on self-quarantine.

  • How do I self-isolate?

    Stay home except to get medical care

    • Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately
    • Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible
    • Use a separate bathroom, if possible
    • Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets
    • Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils
    • Wear a cloth face covering when around other people

     

    Review the CDC guidelines on self-isolation and the Student Health guidelines on self-isolation.

About COVID-19

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  • How does COVID-19 spread?

    COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others. 

    COVID-19 can sometimes be spread by airborne transmission, which means exposure to the virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours. Viruses spread by airborne transmission may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away from the person who is infected or after that person has left the space. Available data indicate that it is much more common for the virus that causes COVID-19 to spread through close contact with a person who has COVID-19 than through airborne transmission.

    COVID-19 spreads less commonly through contact with contaminated surfaces.

    For more information, visit the CDC's website: How COVID-19 Spreads

  • What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

    People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

    Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

    • 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

    This list is not all possible symptoms. 

  • How do I prevent COVID-19?

    The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The CDC recommends:

    • Wash your hands often
      • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
      • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
      • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Avoid close contact
      • Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
        • If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
      • Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
      • Avoid crowds: Being in crowds like in restaurants, bars, fitness centers, or movie theaters put you at higher risk for COVID-19.
      • Avoid poorly ventilated spaces: Avoid indoor spaces that do not offer fresh air from the outdoors as much as possible. If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible.
    • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
      • Masks help prevent you from getting or spreading the virus.
      • You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
      • Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
        • Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
      • Continue to keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.
    • Cover coughs and sneezes
      • Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
      • Throw used tissues in the trash.
      • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
    • Clean and disinfect
      • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
      • If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
      • Then, use a household disinfectant. Use products from EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19) according to manufacturer’s labeled directions.
    • Monitor your health daily 
      • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
      • Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
        • Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
      • Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

  • What is the treatment for COVID-19?

    Severe illness: For those who are very sick, hospitalization may be required. In the hospital, patients receive oxygen and other treatments to help their breathing as well as supportive care and very close monitoring. 

    Mild to moderate illness: Most people who are infected are able to stay home and monitor themselves for improvement or worsening. Over-the-counter medicines can be used to manage symptoms.

    Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 are provided care and support by Student Health staff and a contracted home health and nursing agency throughout their isolation. If you have questions regarding your symptoms, you may schedule a telehealth appointment at mystudenthealth.miami.edu. 

  • Should I wear a face mask?

    Follow University guidance regarding the use of face masks as part of the "Protecting personal space" pillar.  

    The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Continue to keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is NOT a substitute for social distancing. 

    For more information, review the CDC's recommendations and guidelines for cloth face coverings. 

  • What does social distancing mean?

    Limiting face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home.

    To practice social or physical distancing stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.

    Social distancing applies even if you are young and do not have any symptoms. Those who have no symptoms can still transmit the virus to somene else who is at risk of experiencing serious symptoms. Everyone has a role to play to reduce and slow the transmission of COVID-19 and protect those around us. 

    We strongly encourage all members of the University of Miami community to truly practice social distancing. Review the CDC's website for more information on social distancing and how to protect yourself when leaving the home. 

Our Response to COVID-19

Your health and safety is our priority and we want you to know that we are taking all necessary precautions for our students. Here are our current safety measures:

All patients, employees, and providers wear masks while inside our clinic. Masks are provided for anyone who does not have one.
All employees are being screened before returning to work, and patients are being screened prior to on-site appointments. Anyone suspected of having COVID-19 or an exposure is treated in a different area and isolated from other patients.
Like all UHealth facilities, the Lennar Foundation Medical Center has signage reminding patients and staff of the safety guidelines. In addition, appropriate protective shields have been installed where needed, furniture has been rearranged to promote social distancing, and hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the facility and clinic. There is increased cleaning in high-traffic areas, high-risk areas, and frequently touched surfaces.

Resources