Three years since COVID-19 was first discovered, the virus continues to affect the NSU community.
“COVID is going around the school right now,” said Adam Sacchetti, freshman psychology major, who recently contracted the virus for the first time.
Like him, many students have been confused about NSU’s current COVID policies and what to do if they get sick.
“I had an idea [about the rules], but I wasn’t sure,” said Ashley Diaz, senior communication major and a reporter for this newspaper.
“Because the rules have changed so much over the years, I didn’t really know what the rules were [when I got sick].”
The NSU website offers guidelines on what to do if students test positive for COVID or other illnesses. These guidelines align with those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Following CDC guidelines is our best resource at the moment,” said David Pino, a pharmacist since 2010 and the managing pharmacist at the NSU Clinic Pharmacy.
Diaz recommended students contact the Office of Student Disability Services if they get sick and are unsure about the next steps.
“They responded the same day,” said Diaz. “They are always going to tell you the straight-up answer.”
New data shows that coronavirus symptoms can last long after testing negative, maybe even a lifetime. This phenomenon is called the “long COVID disease.”
The extremity of symptoms varies from case to case.
“I tested positive at Baptist Health Urgent Care. I felt like I was dying with 103.3°F top fever, congestion, cough, post-nasal drip, shortness of breath, and dizziness,” said Sacchetti. “When I would lie down, my knees felt like they were jelly.”
Nearly one in five American adults who have contracted COVID report still having symptoms several months after testing negative, according to the CDC. These long-term health effects are often reported by previously healthy individuals and encompass over 200 different symptoms, such as fatigue, sleep problems, change in taste or smell, depression and anxiety.
At NSU, if students test positive for COVID or have any short-term medical diagnoses like mono or strep throat, they should isolate and submit documentation from a healthcare provider to the Office of Student Disability Services.
NSU employees who have tested positive for COVID should isolate and may discuss possible options of remote work with their supervisors.
NSU’s isolation policies correspond with the CDC’s isolation and exposure calculator, which can be found on the CDC’s website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html).
The NSU Clinic Pharmacy offers ad-ministration of the Moderna COVID vaccine every Friday for free with proof of insurance, by appointment, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The FDA’s authorized updated COVID booster offers improved protection against both the original strain of COVID and the Omicron variants that are currently causing most infections. The updated booster is also available at no cost at the NSU Clinic Pharmacy.
The pharmacy also offers the flu vaccine, medication therapy management, diabetic meter training and integrative health and wellness consultations. It is located at the NSU Sanford L. Ziff Health Center and is open to all NSU students.
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