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WITT: We're In This Together

Protocols & Testing

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Mass Testing Event Results

Wittenberg was approved to host a mass-testing event on Sept. 9. All testing was managed by the Ohio National Guard with Mako Medical analyzing the tests and providing the results. What we learned is as follows:

  • There were 416 people tested, fewer than we hoped.
  • Among those tested were 98 faculty and staff; there were no positives in that group.
  • There were 318 students tested; there were 49 positives in this group, 11 of whom were contacts already identified.
  • The positivity rate among the students tested was 15%, at the upper end of the range of 2-16% CCCHD said we could expect.
  • No cases among faculty and staff, and no cases traced to classrooms, organized campus activities, or the dining hall all suggest that the risk-mitigation strategies we implemented in the places we can really control are working.  We cannot eliminate the risk, but we seem to have reduced it.
  • It seems our contact tracing is working well.  We were able to anticipate the increase in cases and move to remote instruction to allow for a more equitable learning model.
  • Contact tracing suggests our cases are arising among students in their living and social environments.

Health Services

Wittenberg University has developed a Health Protocol for students in regard to COVID-19. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please contact the Wittenberg Health Clinic at (937) 327-7811 or Mercy Health Walk-in Care Clinic at (937) 523-9050 after hours.

If students have concern for self or others, they can complete the COVID-19 Report a Concern Form or email covid@wittenberg.edu.

General Testing

Testing to diagnose COVID-19 is one component of a comprehensive strategy and should be used in conjunction with promoting behaviors that reduce spread, maintaining healthy environments, maintaining healthy operations, and preparing for when someone gets sick. Wittenberg's testing strategy and health protocol aligns with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Responsible RestartOhio: Guidance for COVID-19 Testing at Institutions of Higher Education.

The University will focus its efforts on quickly testing students, faculty, and staff members who become symptomatic, which is considered the most critical success factor for the sustained re-opening of campuses this fall according to Responsible RestartOhio. The Clark County Combined Health District has provided the following list of area testing facilities, as well.

Students have the opportunity to be tested Monday-Thursday from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. in the Steemer Connector inside the Health, Wellness, and Athletics Complex. Click Here To Learn More

Protocol for Employees, Contractors, and Volunteers Returning to Campus

  • Complete required SafeColleges training PRIOR to returning to campus properties.
  • Wear a face covering – required for all employees, contractors, volunteers and visitors.
    • Must wear face coverings whenever inside unless in private workspace alone and when outside whenever physical distancing is not possible. See full Mask Policy.
  • Conduct daily health assessments by individual (self-evaluation) to determine if “fit for duty.”
    • Be aware of COVID-19 symptoms.
    • Check temperature prior to reporting for work.
      • DO NOT report to work and notify supervisor if experiencing fever above 99.9F or other COVID-19 symptoms
  • Maintain good hygiene at all times – hand washing, sanitizing, and physical distancing.
  • Clean and sanitize workplaces/workspaces throughout workday and at the close of business or between shifts where applicable.
  • Practice physical distancing, in public areas, common work areas, restrooms, and during rest/meal breaks.
  • Limit capacity to meet physical distancing guidelines.
    • Establish maximum capacity in all areas.
    • Use appointment setting where possible to limit congestion.

Protocol for Visitors That Request to Visit Campus

  • All visitors must complete the HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE prior to coming to campus.
  • The Health Questionnaire will be delivered electronically to human resources for contact tracing recordkeeping and to the police division for awareness.
  • The police division will forward all Health Questionnaires to the department head and senior staff member.
  • Department designee will only contact visitor if they are not approved to visit the campus.
  • Approved Visitor(s) must follow all current campus guidelines/expectations. These include but are not limited to:

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Protocol if an Employee, Contractor, or Volunteer Has Been Exposed to a Confirmed Case of COVID-19

  • Stay home – self-quarantine for 14 days after the exposure.
    • Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
    • If no symptoms after 14-day quarantine, return to normal activities.
  • If COVID-19 symptoms begin:
    • Call your health care provider for guidance
    • Contact your supervisor and human resources at hure-mail@wittenberg.edu to make them aware of your situation.
    • Seek testing
      • If test is negative, complete the 14-day quarantine then return to normal activities.
      • If test is positive, follow PROTOCOL for positive tests.
  • While waiting for test results
    • Continue to self-quarantine.
    • HR will call individual to gain additional details and maintain contact with individual until a negative test result is received and the 14-day quarantine has been exhausted or refer to PROTOCOL for a positive test.
  •  If a positive test:
    • HR will notify COVID Response Team (CRT)
    • HR will notify Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD) for guidance if the individual resides in Clark County and/or has been on campus in past 14 days.
    • HR will work with CCCHD and CRT to initiate contact tracing protocol if appropriate
      • A public health worker will work with individual to fully implement contact tracing and to document ongoing condition
      • All individuals identified as exposed may be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor COVID-19 symptoms
      • CRT will initiate shutdown of impacted area AND cleaning and sanitizing protocol if appropriate
      • CRT will contact University Communications to initiate appropriate communication to the campus community.
    • Once individual has met applicable symptom-free benchmarks, they should obtain a release from their personal health care provider OR CCCHD to emerge from quarantine requirements.

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Protocol if an Employee, Contractor, or Volunteer has Symptoms of COVID-19

  • Stay home – self-quarantine.
  • Call your health care provider for guidance
    • Contact your supervisor and human resources at hure-mail@wittenberg.edu to make them aware of your situation.
    • Seek testing
    • If test is negative, return to normal activities.
    • If test is positive, follow PROTOCOL for positive tests.
  • While waiting for test results
    • Continue to self-quarantine.
    • Notify:
      • Your supervisor AND
      • Human resources at hure-mail@wittenberg.edu AND
      • If after hours switchboard/dispatch at 937-327-6231
      • Switchboard/Dispatch will record contact information including name, position at Wittenberg, and appropriate phone number(s)
      • Switchboard/Dispatch will call human resources (HR) contact to inform.
      • HR will call individual to gain additional details and maintain contact with individual until a negative test result is received or refer to PROTOCOL for a positive test.
      • HR will notify Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD) for guidance if the individual resides in Clark County and/or has been on campus in past 14 days.
      • HR will work with CCCHD and CRT to initiate contact tracing protocol if appropriate
      • A public health worker will work with individual to fully implement contact tracing and to document ongoing condition
      • All individuals identified as exposed may be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor COVID-19 symptoms.
      • CRT will initiate shutdown of impacted area AND cleaning and sanitizing protocol if appropriate
      • CRT will contact University Communications to initiate appropriate communication to the campus community.
  • Once individual has met applicable symptom-free benchmarks, they should obtain a release from their personal health care provider OR CCCHD to emerge from quarantine requirements.

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Protocol if an Employee, Contractor, or Volunteer Has Positive Test for COVID-19

  • Individual who tested positive for the COVID virus with symptoms will remain in isolation until:
    • 3 days with no fever AND
    • Symptoms are improved AND
    • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
  • Individual who tested positive and had no symptoms will remain in isolation until:
    • 10 days have passed since the positive test and continues to have no symptoms.
  • Immediately notify:
    • Your supervisor AND
    • Human resources at hure-mail@wittenberg.edu AND
    • If after hours switchboard/dispatch at 937-327-6231
      • Switchboard/Dispatch will record contact information including name, position at Wittenberg, and appropriate phone number(s)
      • Switchboard/Dispatch will call human resources (HR) contact to inform.
      • HR will notify Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD) for guidance if the individual resides in Clark County and/or has been on campus in past 14 days.
      • HR will work with CCCHD and CRT to initiate contact tracing protocol if appropriate
      • A public health worker will work with individual to fully implement contact tracing and to document ongoing condition
      • All individuals identified as exposed may be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor symptoms.
    • CRT will initiate shutdown of impacted area AND cleaning and sanitizing protocol if appropriate
    • CRT will contact University Communications to initiate appropriate communication to the campus community.
  • Once individual has met applicable symptom-free benchmarks, they should obtain a release from their personal health care provider OR CCCHD to emerge from isolation requirements.

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Protocol for Employees, and/or Their Dependents, That Have a Higher Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19

  • Employees, and/or their dependents, that may have a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should follow the steps below to identify any need for further assessment and/or accommodation:
    • Review the CDC information related to people who need to take extra precautions.
    • Reach out to their personal health care provider to discuss risks associated to COVID-19 and any precautions needed.
    • Read Appendix F: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on pages 86-88 in the Staff Manual.
    • Read Appendix A: Family and Medical Leave Policy (FMLA) on pages 75-81 in the Staff Manual.
    • Employee wishing to request an accommodation related to their, and/or their dependents, disability or limitation as a result of COVID-19 must notify their supervisor AND human resources at hure-mail@wittenberg.edu of their need to begin the interactive process.
    • Employee requesting an accommodation must be willing to participate in the interactive process of identifying a reasonable accommodation that will assist them in performing the essential functions of their job.
    • Employee requesting an accommodation must be willing to participate in the FMLA process whenever applicable.
    • ADA and FMLA policies may run concurrent depending upon the individual circumstances.
    • Employee must complete the COVID-19 Pandemic ADA Accommodation Form and submit appropriate documentation related to their request.

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