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COVID-19

Until further notice, all care at Student Health will be by appointment only and all visits will be via telehealth. If needed, telehealth visits will be followed by in-person care. The Student Health Center will be open Monday - Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. 

CURRENT UNIVERSITY INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19

Last Updated: July 8, 2020

Seeking Care and Testing

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About COVID-19

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  • What is a coronavirus?  

    Coronaviruses typically affect the upper respiratory tract and can cause the common cold and pneumonia. In some cases, the virus can cause more severe symptoms.

  • 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
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
      • You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
      • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
      • Everyone should wear a cloth face cover in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
        • Cloth face coverings 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.
      • Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
      • Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
    • Cover coughs and sneezes
      • If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
      • 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. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.
    • 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?

    People infected with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19 infection.

    If you have questions regarding your symptoms, you may schedule a telehealth appointment at mystudenthealth.miami.edu. 

  • Should I wear a face mask?

    Masks or face coverings will be required at the University of Miami in public areas or when six feet of separation between individuals cannot be guaranteed. 

    The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. Continue to keep about 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. 

For more information:

Student Health Service and other University partners are proactively monitoring the situation and are following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Additional information is available at the resources linked below:

 

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