Coronavirus
Health, Wellness, and Preventions FAQs
What is Rollins doing to respond to COVID-19?
The College’s main goal in planning and preparations is to protect the safety of our students, faculty and staff. Our planning is guided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the State of Florida Health Department and the Orange County Health Department. The College is taking a number of steps to prepare for and respond to the issues raised by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
What are the symptoms of the coronavirus?
Symptoms can include a fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, and/or new loss of taste or smell – similar to what you may feel with influenza or a bad cold. The incubation period (how soon the symptoms appear from the time of first exposure) for these types of viruses is typically 2-14 days.
How can I prevent infection with COVID-19?
The best way to prevent infection is to be vaccinated and avoid exposure to this virus. However, as a reminder, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Physical distancing, remaining three feet apart.
- Wear a mask when indoors or in large groups outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
How is "close contact" defined?
“Close contact” is defined by the CDC as someone an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. The CDC updated this definition October 21, 2020.
Is there anything I should keep in mind when considering getting a COVID vaccine/booster and a flu shot?
The flu shot is seasonal, and lasts for 9-11 months to help prevent influenza. The first priority during the current Omicron variant surge is to begin your COVID vaccination status as soon as possible. In general, we recommend not getting the COVID19 vaccine within 2 weeks of getting any other vaccine, so try to space the two vaccines (flu and COVID) out by two weeks.
Is the flu shot available for students on campus?
Students can receive the flu shot in the Wellness Center every weekday morning. Check your Rollins.edu email address for more information.
What is the College’s current mask policy?
According to the CDC, Orange County is currently a low-risk area. Masks are recommended indoors and in large gatherings where physical distancing is not possible.
What are the usage guidelines for medical-grade masks?
We recommend using medical-grade masks for 1-3 days, depending on the soil level of your mask.
What should I do if I am exposed to someone with COVID-19?
Exposure means you were within three feet of someone for 15 minutes or longer who has tested positive for COVID-19.
If you're fully vaccinated, meaning you've received your booster shot, had your second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines within the last six months, or received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the last two months:
- You no longer need to quarantine. Instead, wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Get a test five days after exposure.
- If you develop symptoms, get a test right away and stay home.
If you're due for your booster shot and haven't received it yet or are unvaccinated:
- Stay home and quarantine for five days and continue to wear a mask when around others for another five days after exposure.
- Get a test five days after exposure.
COVID-19 Testing
How often can students get tested?
Orange County Epidemiology does not recommend regular testing schedules. Testing should be used for a close contact exposure, and if an individual is symptomatic with COVID-19 symptoms. If a student has specific concerns, they can contact the Wellness Center. If there is a rise in effluent testing then surveillance testing of that residential space will be completed.
Where is COVID-19 testing available on campus?
COVID testing is available only for students. Faculty and staff are encouraged to access testing via home testing or other testing facilities. If a student tests positive off-campus, email wellness@rollins.edu to report your status. If you are an employee that tests positive, please follow the protocols for isolation and notify your supervisor if you are unable to report to work as the protocols advise.
Do at-home COVID-19 test kits count as a COVID-19 test?
Yes, specifically if you had a close contact/exposure, and test positive, it is indeed a positive test. Testing multiple times if you receive a positive test is unnecessary. We might change this advice when community positivity decreases. If you test negative, have symptoms, we do encourage re-testing.
Is there required testing for those who do not share evidence of vaccination?
Not at this time. Testing may be required for those with direct exposure to others (i.e. roommates, close contacts).
What is the accuracy of the rapid testing?
The rapid antigen COVID-19 tests are 96.7% percent positive agreement (PPA) and have a 100% negative percent agreement (NPA) in conjunction with medical evaluation. Students that test negative and are symptomatic will be re-tested. Learn more about rapid tests on the Quidel website.
Isolation & Quarantine
I have tested positive, or I’ve had a close contact with someone who tested positive. Who do I contact?
If you are positive, or if you have had a close contact, please contact the Wellness Center.
Do I need to quarantine?
Please use the COVID quarantine and isolation calculator to determine if and for how long you need to isolate, and be sure to reach out to the Wellness Center:
If I test positive for COVID, how long and where do I need to isolate?
Please use the COVID quarantine and isolation calculator to determine if and for how long you need to isolate, and be sure to reach out to the Wellness Center:
We strongly advise any residential student who tests positive for COVID to isolate at home, off campus for comfort, and to be sure to reach out to the Wellness Center for medical support and return clearance.
If you cannot return home via private transportation, please isolate in your room and we will provide meals.
What do I do if my roommate tests positive?
Follow the guidance for a close contact and be sure to reach out to the Wellness Center. If you need to quarantine, we encourage you to quarantine at home, off campus, for comfort. If you cannot return home via private transportation, please isolate in your room and we will provide meals.
Do I need to share my COVID vaccination status?
We encourage everyone to upload their vaccination status via Foxlink (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pquCQYZ8IS0). If you have had a booster since leaving campus, please submit the updated information.
Is it possible to obtain a vaccine on campus?
Yes, in the Wellness Center. COVID-19 vaccines/boosters are by walk-in only, on Thursday 8:30 – 10 a.m.
Why is it important to upload my COVID-19 vaccination card in FoxLink?
Providing documentation of vaccination carries the following benefits:
- Fully vaccinated individuals will NOT be required to quarantine for 10 days if they are directly exposed.
- Exempt from regular COVID-19 testing.
How do I update my vaccination status to include my booster shot?
In FoxLink, you will find a space to provide information on your booster. You can upload your card under the “submit card image” button. Please note that if you received your booster at Rollins that information was recorded automatically.
If I am a faculty or staff member, do I need to upload my COVID-19 vaccine card to prove I’m vaccinated?
We require all employees to report their vaccination status. You may do so via Foxlink (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pquCQYZ8IS0). All new employees must report and upload within three days of their hire date. If you have had a booster since leaving campus, please submit the updated information.
What if I lost my vaccine card?
If you have lost your CDC card, please contact the Department of Health in the state in which you were vaccinated (for Florida, by phone at 850-245-4444 or health@flhealth.gov). Many states allow you electronic access to your vaccine record. You may be able to capture a screenshot of your vaccine status from the Department of Health site, and you may upload that via FoxLink. If you need further assistance, you may reach out to wellness@rollins.edu for further guidance.
What is the timeline of receiving a booster shot, specifically if they’ve recently had COVID-19. When should they get a booster shot after they’ve had COVID-19?
We recommend that you obtain your booster as soon as possible, after infection, as long as your symptoms have fully recovered.
Where can I find the current positivity rate?
The College’s positivity rate can be found here, updated weekly.
Why does the dashboard look different this year?
Since we are no longer using #CampusClear as a daily screening/tracking tool, we do not have the reporting data associated, i.e. positive employee cases, absences due to isolation and quarantine.