COVID-19 prevention
Each semester, COVID-19 disrupts the academic plans for some students. Thankfully, students can take the following steps to reduce your risk of contracting this highly contagious virus.
- Wear a mask or cloth face covering inside all public areas in campus facilities and outdoors when six feet of social distancing is not possible.
- Regularly wash your hands 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
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Avoid large gatherings
Students who test positive should follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance for those who have COVID-19. This includes staying home until their symptoms are improving AND their fever is gone for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Post-exposure plan
If you have been a close contact of someone with COVID-19, you should monitor your health for the next 10 days and consider:
- Minimizing your interactions with other people, especially anyone who has risk factors for severe COVID-19.
- Wearing a mask for the 10 days following your exposure, even if you have no symptoms.
- Getting tested for COVID-19 immediately if you develop symptoms.
- If you remain without symptoms, consider doing a test on the fifth day after your exposure ended (NOT sooner) to see if you could be an “asymptomatic positive.”
Medical Care for COVID-19
The Decker Student Health Services Center (DSHSC) remains available to students who are ill and wish to be evaluated to see if their symptoms are related to COVID-19 through diagnostic testing.
If you feel ill, do not leave your on-campus room or come to campus if you are an off-campus residing student. All students with ANY symptom of COVID-19, even mild or minimal ones, should stay home and arrange to get a diagnostic test.
Make a plan now
Before anyone becomes ill, discuss what you and those you live with will do if one or more of you test positive for COVID-19. On-campus residing students are urged to go home until they meet the criteria for returning to their usual activities, but are allowed to stay in their residential hall room if that is not possible. Talking through how you will handle this situation now will clarify expectations and will avoid you having to make decisions under pressure or while feeling ill. Think about:
- Where will you be most comfortable and supported during your recovery?
- Will you remain in your room/apartment or will you go home? What if circumstances prevent you from being able to leave?
- If your ill roommate must stay in your room/apartment, will you be uncomfortable staying with them? If so, where will you stay?
More information for roommates/suitemates of students with COVID-19 is available on the management of COVID-19 webpage.
Important contact information
Decker Student Health Services Center (DSHSC)
- 607-777-2221
- Hours: 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Monday–Friday
- After hours: Speak to a registered nurse by calling DSHSC and following the directions in the recorded message.
- 607-777-2772 (dial ext. 2 after hours)
- Hours: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday
CARE Team
Consultation | Advocacy | Referrals | Education
- Phone: 607-777-2804
- Email: dos@binghamton.edu
Emergency: 607-777-2222
Harpur's Ferry Student Volunteer Ambulance Squad
Emergency: 607-777-3333
