Dr. Nicholas Pennings, director of Campbell University Health Center, provided the following updates and answers to frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 coronavirus and its effect on the Campbell community:
One confirmed case at Campbell University
As of March 17, four Campbell University students on our main campus in Buies Creek have been tested for the COVID-19 virus after presenting symptoms of fever and cough and a negative flu test. On March 16, one of those students tested positive for the virus. A second student has tested negative for the virus and the results are pending for the remaining students.
The student with the presumptive positive test will remain in isolation until the infection has resolved according to CDC guidelines. Students with pending tests and those identified as having significant exposure, according to the CDC recommendations, have been asked to self-quarantine. A significant exposure or close contact is considered being within six feet of an individual with the infection for 10 minutes or more.
How do I know if I may have been exposed?
The Harnett County Health Department is monitoring all known cases in the county and states that if you are at increased risk, their public health team will contact you directly. If a member of their team does not contact you and you do not have any symptoms, you do not need to quarantine yourself or take precautions beyond washing your hands, covering your cough, practicing social distancing, and staying home from work if you feel sick.
Please do not go to the emergency room or other clinics to be tested if you are not presenting symptoms.
What should I do if I am ill?
Campbell Students
The first step is to call the University Health Center at 910-893-1560 to seek health care, if you have:
- traveled to an area within the last 14 days where the COVID-19 infection has spread (which as of Feb. 28, 2020, includes: China, Japan, South Korea, Italy or Iran), OR
- have been in contact with someone who has confirmed coronavirus infection AND you have a fever or respiratory illness
University and Health Center officials ask if you are having any respiratory symptoms do not walk into the Health Center. Please let your first step be to call 910-893-1560 to be screened on how to best proceed.
Stay in your room until you are able to speak to someone in the health center.
Do not attend any face to face class or activity, or visit any dining halls, to limit exposure to others. The student should contact residence life staff regarding the delivery of meals if asked to self-quarantine.
The Health Center has a policy in place to handle any cases that may be suspected as COVID-19. Health Center faculty and staff utilize a screening questionnaire to help determine if you are at risk for having the COVID-19 infection.
Faculty and staff
If an employee is sick, presenting symptoms, or has been exposed to someone who has tested positive, do not come to work. Contact your health care professional if presenting symptoms.
Learn more about Campbell University’s response to the global pandemic at campbell.edu/coronavirus/
Nicholas Pennings, DO
Director, Campbell University Health Center