COVID-19 Information
Your health and safety is our priority.
FREE rapid antigen (“at-home”) COVID tests are available to pick-up at The Merc, McPherson Center, Stingers Supply Shelf, and the Health Center. You may also pick up a disposable mask at Health Center.
COVID Information for Students
If you test positive for Covid-19 (at another healthcare facility, pharmacy, or with a home test):
- Please notify the Health Center, 276-944-6219, during normal business hours. We can provide a courtesy message to Dean Travis Proffitt in the Office of Student Success outlining when your isolation period starts and ends. Dean Proffitt will notify your professors the date you may return to classes as long as you have been fever free without use of any fever reducing medications in the past 24 hours. You are responsible for communicating with your professors and making up any missed class assignments.
- Regarding “self-isolation”: Please return to your home to complete your isolation time IF you are unable to go home, you will isolate in place per CDC guidelines, including wearing a mask. (As of August 1, 2023, CDC recommends 5 days of isolation followed by wearing a mask in public for 5 additional days). See specifics here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html
You may end isolation according to CDC guidelines when you have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- IF your roommate or suitemate cannot remain in place (due to a health issue such as an autoimmune condition) they should contact Area Coordinator, Michael Parks, mlparks@ehc.edu, in residence life to arrange for a “reverse isolation” space–meaning they would move to another housing location until your isolation time is completed.
- As a courtesy, please notify your close contacts of your positive test result (this includes your Athletic Trainer, sport team members, Greek Life, or other groups whom you have been in close contact with)
- Practice good hand hygiene with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
- Your meals can be picked up at the cafe by a friend. They will need to take your ID to swipe and they will need to ask for a Disposable To Go box. Should you need additional assistance obtaining your meals, please contact Area Coordinator, Michael Parks, mlparks@ehc.edu.
- Use a separate bathroom, if possible. Store your toothbrush covered, away from a shared sink.
- Don’t share personal household items such as cups, towels, and utensils.
- Monitor your symptoms. Refer to the Self Treatment Measures tip sheet for symptom management of sore throat, runny nose, congestion, cough, etc. If you develop an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately (911).
Athletes: Please communicate with the athletic trainer for your sport regarding requirements you need to fulfill after recovery/end of isolation from a case of COVID. There is a NCAA “Return to Play” protocol that requires a physical examination for clearance. You may schedule your physical at the Health Center BY APPOINTMENT, 276-944-6219.
COVID Information for Employees:
Follow CDC guidance. Please notify Tracy Peery (tpeery@ehc.edu) in Human Resources of your return date.
Free Coronavirus Rapid Antigen Testing
Testing location: E&H HEALTH CENTER by appointment for students, faculty, and staff who are symptomatic or have had a known exposure
Helpful Links:
- Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC): Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19
- Virginia Department of Health: COVID-19 Testing
Coronavirus Vaccine Information
Effective May 8, 2023, Emory & Henry will no longer institute a COVID-19 vaccination policy requirement. The change in policy does not diminish our desire for a safe campus. Emory & Henry still highly recommends staying up to date with vaccinations against COVID-19. Vaccination is an extremely valuable tool to assist in mitigation of disease spread. Students should be aware that there may be off campus experiences that require vaccination against COVID-19. These might include internships, clinical placements, field placements, or study abroad opportunities in foreign countries. While the college is moving away from a collegiate vaccination policy, students’ participation in those experiences may still require vaccination. Students should work with their program directors, coaches, and other mentors to fully explore those requirements and ramifications.
Faculty and staff remain empowered to require masks in their classrooms and offices. Faculty, staff, and students remain empowered to wear masks as they may need.
Students that are on the Emory campus will need to report their vaccination status no later than July 1st (due date for the required “E&H Immunization Record and Medical Information Form”). Coronavirus vaccinations should be recorded on page 6 of the form. A copy of your coronavirus vaccination card may be attached.
Students at the School of Health Sciences including undergraduate nursing students should upload a complete copy of their vaccination records to the credentialing vendors platform.
For questions and concerns related to COVID-19 at Emory & Henry College, please contact Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives Ryan Bowyer at rbowyer@ehc.edu.