March 05, 2020

Health Promotion and Wellness Blog

COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Plan for the Lewis & Clark Community

Lewis & Clark has developed a plan to keep the community as safe as possible. The following document articulates expectations and guidance for Lewis & Clark community members related to COVID-19. Updated expectations and guidance will be provided as information and protocols are developed.

It is worth noting that most individuals, especially young people, who experience COVID-19 have mild symptoms. Individuals who are immuno-compromised, who have underlying health conditions, or who are older are at greater risk to experience more significant complications of their condition.

I. Definitions: Self-Isolation, Isolation and Quarantine

A. “Self-isolation” involves a student, faculty or staff member (hereafter “LC community member”) isolating themselves from other community members due to symptoms of infectious disease, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Such isolation is achieved, for example, by ill students not attending classes or dining in communal spaces; or by faculty and staff not reporting to work on campus.

LC community members are encouraged to engage in self-isolation if they are experiencing a fever with either a cough or shortness of breath. Self-isolation should continue until a community member has been asymptomatic for at least 24 hours without the use of anti-fever medication.

B. “Isolation” involves a mandatory separation of ill LC community members from other community members.

Isolation will be required of LC community members whenever such intervention is recommended to the community member by public health authorities. Criteria involve symptoms and exposure. LC community members will be required to remain in isolation for the duration recommended by public health officials.

C. “Quarantine” involves isolating LC Community Members who are well, but who may have been exposed to an infectious disease.

Quarantine will be required of LC community members whenever such intervention is recommended to the community member by public health authorities. Criteria involve symptoms and exposure. LC community members will be required to remain in quarantine for the duration recommended by public health officials.

In addition, any LC community member traveling to the United States from a country classified at Level 3 by the Centers for Disease Control (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html) will be required to 1) engage in quarantine off campus for a period of 14 days from their date of departure from the affected area, and 2) notify the College of their travel at least 72 hours prior to their return to campus. Employees should notify the Human Resources Office, while students should notify the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness.Should individuals engaging in quarantine become ill with fever, cough or shortness of breath, they may be required to engage in isolation.

II. REPORTING OF ILLNESS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS

A. Related to Self-Isolation

LC Community members engaging in self-isolation should engage in the following notification procedures:

  • Students in Portland are encouraged to notify the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness. For students living on campus, notification of the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness will initiate the process of meal delivery and distribution of Wellness Kits to support their isolation.
  • Students participating in overseas or off-campus programs must notify the Overseas and Off-Campus Programs Office and their program leader.
  • Employees who require self-isolation and miss work must notify their supervisor and Human Resources of their absence.

B. Related to Isolation and Quarantine–LC Community members are required to notify the College

LC Community members who are engaging in isolation or quarantine at the direction of public health officials must engage in the following notification:

  • Students in Portland (whether living on or off campus) must notify the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness.
  • Students participating in overseas or off-campus programs must notify the Overseas and Off-Campus Programs Office and their program leader.
  • Employees must notify their supervisor and Human Resources.

III. INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

A. Triage Information Relevant for Students

  1. The defining symptoms of COVID-19 are 1) a fever AND 2) a cough or shortness of breath. Students who are experiencing either of these symptoms are encouraged to call the Health Service at 503-768-7165. In order to reduce the risk of transmission of disease to other students, students should not, as a first step, come into the Health Service in person. After hours, students should call the Nurse Consultation Service at 1-800-607-5501. Students who suspect they have a fever, but are not sure, are encouraged to call the Health Service during working hours, or, if it is after hours, go to Campus Safety to obtain a free, disposable thermometer.
  2. Health Service staff (supplemented by the Nurse Consultation line) will triage and assess patients. Students who are beyond the scope of our clinic to treat will be supported in accessing a higher level of assessment and care.

B. Self-Isolation for Students

  1. All students who are engaging in self-isolation should report symptoms to the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness. Students should also e-mail their faculty to alert the faculty member of their absence. Students who expect to miss three days or more of classes and need assistance in communicating with faculty should contact the Student Support Services Office. Students living on campus will be provided with a Wellness Kit to support their isolation.
  2. When students are assessed by Health Service staff or other health professionals as needing to engage in self-isolation:
    1. All students will be provided counsel about their options, including living with family during their period of isolation/quarantine.
    2. Students who live off campus will be provided instruction and counsel about how to engage in self-isolation.
    3. For students who live on campus, Health Service staff will:
      1. Review best practice for self-isolation.
      2. With the patient’s permission, notify Campus Living, Bon Appetit staff, Student Support Service, and Campus Safety staff, in order to ensure the student receives housing support, meals, academic support, and safety support.
      3. Provide students with a Wellness Kit that includes tissues, hand sanitizer, disposable thermometers, anti-fever medication, and an isolation mask.
    4. All students will receive instruction to contact Health Service staff (or the Nurse Consultation Service) should their symptoms worsen.

C. Provision of Food Service

Bon Appetit staff will prepare meal boxes (three meals/day) for all students in self-isolation, isolation or quarantine on campus. A food preference and information form will be provided to allow students to inform Bon Appetit staff of food needs, preferences and any allergies/accommodations.

D. Academic Adjustments

If necessary, Student Support Services staff will contact students in self-isolation, isolation and quarantine to review options for students to continue their schoolwork. Students will have the option to send a Faculty Notification to their instructors and advisor(s), notifying them of their current situation. For questions regarding academic support, students can contact Student Support Services by calling 503-768-7192 or emailing access@lclark.edu. Students may also schedule an appointment online. Phone appointments will be available for students who are in self-isolation, isolation and quarantine. If students need to pursue Interim Accommodations, they should visit the Arranging for Accommodations website to learn more about the process.

E. Ongoing monitoring of impacted students/First response

Campus Living staff and Campus Safety staff will retain a roster of students whom are known to be engaging in self-isolation, isolation and quarantine. Whenever emergency response is required to those students, responding LC staff will wear N-95 masks. Whenever Campus Safety or Campus Living staff are aware of an emergency response by external first responders to such a student, those LC staff will inform the external first responders of the student’s status in self-isolation, isolation or quarantine.

IV. INFORMATION FOR STAFF AND FACULTY

Employees who are self-isolating, or in isolation or quarantine, must use available paid leave as provided in Lewis & Clark policies and relevant collective bargaining agreements. These employees in self-isolation, isolation or quarantine may also talk with their supervisor regarding the feasibility of telecommuting. Any employee who lacks adequate accrued paid leave to cover the necessary period of absence is encouraged to talk with Human Resources to explore available options.

Human Resources will retain a roster of all faculty and staff who have reported a need for self-isolation, isolation or quarantine and provide support and guidance as needed.

Employees should also reference existing institutional policies on sick leave and family leave.

Health Promotion and Wellness: 503-768-8225

Human Resources: 503-768-6235