FAQs

Last revised August 11 at 11:43 a.m. CST

What happens in the event of a positive test?

Only in the event of a positive test result will the patient be contacted. Results are reported to the City-Cowley Health Department which will complete contact tracing and will lead the response and monitoring as the case remains active.

For residential students, the college has designated housing where students will complete a period of isolation after testing positive for the virus. A college care team is also in place to deliver meals, help with transportation to health care, and to check in on the student’s emotional well-being while in isolation.

In the event of a positive test result, who handles contact tracing?

The City-Cowley County Health Department manages all contact tracing necessary after a positive test result is identified on campus. When an individual tests positive for COVID-19, the college works in full-partnership with public health officials, relaying pertinent information regarding the case. 

During contact tracing an employee (case investigator) from the health department will call the individual who tested positive to check-in on their health and to conduct and interview, primarily discussing who they’ve been in prolonged close contact with in recent days. Unless the individual who tests positive gives permission, their name will not be revealed to those who are identified as part of contact tracing. Their privacy and information regarding their health will be protected.

How to be helpful: If the health department calls, answer the phone or return their message as soon as you are able. Closely follow the department’s guidance. Be honest and forthcoming with information regarding your personal contact with others. 

Working with the health department in the fight against COVID-19 keeps our campus and community safe.

Are visitors allowed on campus? 

Offices across campus are open and are accepting visitors. We are recommending unvaccinated visitors should wear a mask when entering facilities on campus.

What do I do if I am living on campus and begin to exhibit symptoms – who will help me?

Begin self-isolation and contact your primary healthcare provider then email or call our dean of students, Dan Falk. We are prepared to work in coordination with local medical and healthcare providers and campus dining, and other support services, to care for you through this process. 

I am uninsured, in Winfield and am in need of care – what do I do? 

While the City-Cowley County Health Department is offering diagnostic testing. The Community Health Center in Winfield offers income-based primary care to those who are uninsured or are without a primary care physician.

How do I best mitigate my risk for exposure/transmission of COVID-19?

Every student, faculty, staff who is on campus should implement frequent and effective hand-washing, appropriate social distancing, self-monitoring, and should report the onset of any symptoms. If any symptoms develop (including, but not limited to fever, tightness of chest, cough), students should immediately notify your primary healthcare provider as well as our dean of students, Dan Falk, via phone or email; Faculty/staff should notify Lonnie Boyd.

I currently live on campus and have a difficult time affording groceries, is there someone who can help me? 

Students who are on campus, if you are in need of staple food items, contact campus security or email Dan.Falk@sckans.edu to schedule a visit to the Jinx Shelf Food Pantry.

How can our community combat stigmatization related to the coronavirus?

Even as we work to respond to this situation, we also reaffirm our commitment to a safe, supportive, and inclusive educational environment. We need to work together to keep our college free of discrimination and harassment. It is the Builder way to seek opportunities to offer care and support to those who have family and friends directly or indirectly affected by COVID-19 – and to always treat people with respect and kindness.

What is the difference between Quarantine and Isolation?

Quarantine
For those of us on campus who come into close/prolonged/unmasked personal contact with a person who has either tested positive with COVID-19 or who is presumed to have COVID-19 – will be asked to quarantine for a period of days before being retested for the virus. OR knowing of such exposure, we may choose to self-quarantine – notifying student affairs and requesting to be retested.  

When in quarantine we are asked to severely limit personal interactions, this means attending class remotely from our residence, picking up meals to-go, not attending practices or rehearsals, avoiding social gatherings of any size, and maintaining strict adherence to mask-wearing and room cleanliness. Quarantine means staying in our residence as much as possible – until we can be sure that we do not have the virus and are not at risk for spreading the virus to our friends and loved ones. Adhering to quarantine restrictions and holding each other accountable to do so, better protects our campus community from the spread of COVID-19.

Isolation
A person who tests positive for COVID-19 or is presumed to be positive for the virus due to an onset of symptoms will be asked to isolate by both the City Cowley Health Department and by the college. 

For students who live on campus that Isolation will be completed in designated housing. For students living off-campus, there is an option to complete isolation on-campus or off-campus at their residence (assuming they have a care plan and don’t put others at risk). Faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 will complete their isolation at their residence.  

Isolation means no personal contact. Necessary belongings will be moved (with the help of student affairs staff) to isolation housing for the period of isolation and meals/sustenance will be delivered to their doorstep. Individuals in isolation should not receive visitors and should not leave their isolation unit until they have been cleared to do so. Violating the parameters of isolation puts our campus community -- our ability to attend classes in-person, to rehearse and perform, to practice and compete, and to engage in all modified campus activities --  at risk. 

Testing, quarantine, and isolation are all included in the Fall 2020 Semester Plan to keep our campus community healthy.