Guidelines for Responding to Symptomatic Individuals
The following is a general response to individuals anywhere on the Pitt-Titusville campus who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.
When the symptomatic person is a:
Faculty, Students, or staff member anywhere on campus:
The symptomatic individual must go home immediately. If the symptomatic individual does not have immediate access to transportation, have them avoid contact with others by waiting alone in a room with the door closed until transportation arrives.
Any room where the person spent more than 15 minutes on the day symptoms appeared or in the 48 hours prior will be closed for 24 hours, if possible.
After the closure period, Facilities Management will notify custodial staff to have the rooms cleaned and disinfected. If the closure for 24 hours is not possible, the room will be promptly cleaned by designated personnel.
Authorized Visitor in a Pitt-Titusville building (vendor, contractor, service provider):
The symptomatic individual must go home immediately.
The host department or unit must promptly call Facilities Management at 814-827-4438 so the room can be cleaned by designated personnel.
Any room where the person spent more than 15 minutes on the day symptoms appeared or in the 48 hours prior will be closed for 24 hours, if possible.
After the closure period, Facilities Management will notify custodial personnel to have the rooms cleaned and disinfected. When the closure period is not possible, prompt cleaning and disinfection by designated personnel will occur.
An individual calls to report symptoms but has not been on campus within the last 14 days.
Ask the individual to remain off campus and contact Health Services and MyHealth@Work (faculty and staff) to determine any steps that need to be taken and to ensure we are able to monitor their progress and recovery.
You do not need to take any additional action at this time.
Confirmed Positive Cases
If a Pitt-Titusville community member calls to report a positive test for COVID-19 and has been on campus within the last 14 days:
Ask the individual to contact Health Services or MyHealth@Work (faculty and staff). Additionally, the individual needs to contact the Office of the President.
Facilities Management will manage any cleaning and disinfection of areas where the person spent considerable time in the 48 hours prior to experiencing symptoms.
If a Pitt-Titusville community member calls to report a positive test for COVID-19 and has not been on campus within the last 14 days:
Ask the individual to remain off campus and contact Health Services at 814-362-5272 or MyHealth@Work (faculty and staff) to determine any steps that need to be taken and to ensure we are able to monitor their progress and recovery.
You do not need to take any additional action at this time.
While most COVID-19 cases do not require response by emergency medical services, in the case of a life-threatening or severe medical emergency, please call 911 or Campus Police and Security at 814-827-4488. Please let EMS/campus police know about your COVID-19 symptoms so they can wear appropriate PPE.
As always, we must ensure compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and prioritize patient privacy. Additional guidance for supervisors is available Office of Human Resources.
Prevention and Well-Being
Symptoms
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reported mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms including:
fever or chills
cough
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
fatigue
muscle or body aches
headache
new loss of taste or smell
sore throat
congestion or runny nose
nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 or who thinks they have been exposed to the virus via travel or contact with others should call their health care provider to talk with a medical professional as soon as possible.
Students should call Health Services at 814-362-5272.
Faculty and staff should call MyHealth@Work at 412-647-4949.
Prevention
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Everyday preventive actions help prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses:
Whether indoors or outdoors, practice physical distancing by keeping at least six feet of distance between yourself and others whenever possible.
Wear your face covering.
Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
If you need to cough or sneeze, do so in a disposable tissue or your bended elbow.
If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that’s at least 70% alcohol.
Frequently clean high-touch surfaces within your area, like your desk and office doorknob using the supplied materials.
Try to use your elbow on high-touch public surfaces, like elevator buttons or push-open doors.
Limit the time you spend with others in small spaces like bathrooms and elevators.
People Who Are at Increased Risk
The CDC identifies older adults and people with underlying medical conditions as being at higher risk for becoming severely ill if they contract COVID-19. Some of these underlying medical conditions include:
Blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease or on blood thinners)
Chronic kidney disease as defined by your doctor. Patient has been told to avoid or reduce the dose of medications because of kidney disease or is under treatment for kidney disease, including receiving dialysis
Chronic liver disease as defined by your doctor (e.g., cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis) Patient has been told to avoid or reduce the dose of medications because of liver disease or is under treatment for liver disease.
Compromised immune system (immunosuppression) (e.g., seeing a doctor for cancer and treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, received an organ or bone marrow transplant, taking high doses of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant medications, HIV or AIDS)
Current or recent pregnancy in the last two weeks
Endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
Lung disease including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis or emphysema) or other chronic conditions associated with impaired lung function or that require home oxygen
Neurological and neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability, moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy or spinal cord injury].
The CDC maintains a complete, up-to-date list and guidance for these individuals.
Campus Cases
To date, there have been no positive cases reported on campus. The PA Health Department has reported numerous confirmed and/or probable COVID-19 cases in Crawford County, the county in which campus is located.
We will let you know if we become aware of a member of the Pitt-Titusville community testing positive for COVID-19, but we are committed to maintaining the privacy of individuals who are affected. Therefore, we will not provide any additional information regarding any individuals whom we are aware have tested positive.
Pitt’s Healthcare Advisory Group is developing an enhanced virus monitoring program as we move into long-term planning and in anticipation of welcoming members of the Pitt-Titusville community back to campus. Ongoing updates to the university’s reporting process are expected. More detailed information will be shared on this website.
Updated: Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Guidance for Supervisors of Symptomatic or Positive Employees
As a reminder any symptomatic individual on campus should notify Health Service 814-362-5272 or MyHealth@Work.
The Office of Human Resources will continue to provide training and support for supervisors to ensure they are educating their team on COVID-19 mitigation measures, prevention steps and proper procedures.