Best for the Nest

Best for the Nest

COVID-19 Information

January 13, 2023

As the spring semester begins, we are seeing an increase in COVID-19 and flu cases locally and around the country. To protect our campus community, consider the following:  

  • Stay home if you are sick  
  • Wash your hands  
  • Get a COVID-19 booster and flu shot if you have not already  
  • Get tested (or use a home test) if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19  
  • Feel comfortable wearing a mask when you choose to, and respect those who choose to wear a mask  

COVID Testing  Students who would like to be tested for COVID-19 can call the Student Health Center at 910.962.3280 to make an appointment. The Student Health Center no longer conducts surveillance testing for UNCW employees. For local testing options, visit the New Hanover County Health Department website. More information about isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19 is available on the CDC website.  

Questions? Email coronavirus@uncw.edu.  

COVID-19 Booster Clinics  The UNCW Abrons Student Health Center is offering free COVID-19 boosters for students, faculty, staff and community members (16 and older) on Friday, Jan. 20 and Friday, Jan. 27 from 8:30-11 a.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. at the Student Health Center. No appointment is necessary, and there is no cost.  

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna bivalent boosters will be available while supplies last. After receiving the booster, you must remain in place for 15 minutes. For additional information and resources, visit the Best for the Nest website or email coronavirus@uncw.edu.  

COVID-19 Campus Guidance  If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, current guidance is that you test five days after the exposure—or sooner if you develop symptoms—AND that you wear a mask for 10 days anytime that you are around others. 

If you test positive for COVID-19, the guidance is that you isolate (remain home) for five days from the day of test. For example, if you test positive on Monday, you would be released from isolation on Sunday, if your symptoms are resolving, and you have not had a fever in 24 hours. You will need to wear a mask for 10 days from the date of your positive test, any time that you are around others. 

On-campus students who test positive should plan to return home to complete their isolation period. Students who are unable to return home will shelter in place. The Student Health Center staff will assist with meal arrangements. 

Anyone who was tested off-campus or completed an at home test are encouraged to inform Student Health at coronavirus@uncw.edu to support the staff’s ongoing effort to monitor the presence of the virus within our community.

November 21, 2022

The UNCW Abrons Student Health Center is offering free COVID boosters for students, faculty and staff on Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 8:30-11 a.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. No appointment is necessary, and there is no cost.

The Pfizer -BioNTech and Moderna bivalent boosters will be available while supplies last. After receiving the booster, you must remain in place for 15 minutes. Additional clinics are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2, and Thursday, Dec. 15 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. in the Student Health Center.

For additional information and resources, visit the Best for the Nest website or email coronavirus@uncw.edu.

Please consider getting tested before traveling to see friends or family.

Questions? Contact coronavirus@uncw.edu.

October 20, 2022

The Abrons Student Health Center continues to offer updated COVID booster shots. On Friday, Oct. 21, the center will only provide the Moderna booster. Additional updated Pfizer boosters have been ordered. Student health officials anticipate both Pfizer and Moderna boosters will be available in November.

Students, faculty, staff and community members interested in receiving a booster can do so free of charge. No appointment is needed. Upcoming clinics are scheduled for the following days/times in DePaolo Hall (2nd floor):

  • Friday, Oct. 21, 8:30 –11 a.m. and 1:30–4 p.m. – Moderna only
  • Friday, Nov. 11, 8:30 –11 a.m. and 1:30–4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 22, 8:30 –11 a.m. and 1:30–4 p.m.

Surveillance Testing Reminder

The Student Health Center no longer conducts surveillance testing for UNCW employees. For local testing options, visit the New Hanover County Health Department website. Surveillance testing will continue for students Monday through Friday 8:30–11:30 a.m. and 1–4:30 p.m. The center opens at 9 a.m. on Thursdays.

For additional information, visit Best for the Nest.

Questions? Email coronavirus@uncw.edu.

October 5, 2022

The Abrons Student Health Center is now offering the updated Moderna and Pfizer COVID boosters. The boosters will be available to students, faculty, staff and community members. No appointment is needed. Upcoming clinics are scheduled for the following days/times in DePaolo Hall (2nd floor): 

  • Friday, Oct. 7, 8:30 –11 a.m. and 1:30–4 p.m.
  • Monday, Oct. 17, 8:30 –11 a.m. and 1:30–4 p.m.
  • Friday, Oct. 21, 8:30 –11 a.m. and 1:30–4 p.m.

Surveillance Testing
Effective Wednesday, Oct. 5, the Student Health Center will no longer conduct surveillance testing for faculty and staff. For local testing options, visit the New Hanover County Health Department website. Surveillance testing will continue for students Monday through Friday 8:30–11:30 a.m. and 1–4:30 p.m. The center opens at 9 a.m. on Thursdays. 

For additional information, visit Best for the Nest. 

Questions? Email coronavirus@uncw.edu.

Flu Vaccination Clinic for Faculty and Staff 
There will be a free flu vaccination clinic for faculty and staff on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Warwick Center. Please bring your UNCW ID card, wear short sleeves or layers if possible, and be prepared to wait 15 minutes after you receive your shot. No appointment is needed.

The clinic is a partnership between the Student Health Center, Human Resources, and the College of Health and Human Services’ School of Nursing. 

Students can schedule an appointment for a free flu shot at the Student Health Center by calling 910.962.3280. 

Sept. 19, 2022

Update to Campus Guidance for Fall 2020: Vaccinations and Boosters

The Abrons Student Health Center (DePaolo Hall, 2nd floor) will begin offering the updated Pfizer COVID booster on the following days from 8:30 –11 a.m. and 1:30-4 p.m.:

  • Tuesday, Sept. 20
  • Friday, Sept. 23
  • Tuesday, Sept. 27
  • Friday, Sept. 30

The updated booster is available for students, faculty, staff and their family members only. No appointment is needed.

The Student Health Center will resume vaccinating members of the Wilmington community in October. UNCW has also ordered the updated Moderna booster. Notification will be sent to campus when it arrives. 

Questions: email coronavirus@uncw.edu

New Hanover County, home to UNCW's main campus and the Center for Marine Science, is offering vaccines and boosters at its Pandemic Operations Center.

Update to Campus Guidance for Fall 2022: CDC Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19

Aug. 15, 2022

UNCW Student Health provided key points from the CDC's August 2022 guidance below. More information is available on the CDC website. 

  1. If you have a known exposure to someone with COVID – regardless of your vaccine status – the guidance is to wear a mask for 10 days any time that you are around others and to test at day 5.
  2. If you test positive for COVID, isolate for 5 days. You can return to campus on day 6 as long as your symptoms are resolving, and you have not had a fever in 24 hours without the use of medication. In addition:
    1. Avoid being around people at high risk of getting sick through day 10. 
    2. Wear a mask through day 10
    3. If you have a moderate or severe illness – isolate though day 10.
  3. If you ended isolation and your symptoms worsen – restart isolation at day 0.
  4. Screening tests for asymptomatic individuals with no known exposure are no longer recommended in most community settings, according to the CDC.
  5. Stay up-to-date on your vaccinations and boosters.

COVID-19 Campus Guidance for Fall 2022 

Aug. 4, 2022

UNCW remains committed to monitoring COVID-19 conditions and providing related support to the campus community. University leadership will continue to consider several factors when making decisions about COVID-19 campus protocols, including CDC, NCDHHS, and UNC System policies; local public health guidance; the level of transmission in North Carolina; and the overall vaccination rate in our state.  

Healthy Actions  

  • If you haven’t taken the opportunity to get vaccinated, please do so. It is the best way to reduce the impact COVID-19 will continue to have on our campus and community. Vaccinated and boosted individuals tend to experience milder symptoms if they contract COVID-19.  
  • Maintain good hand hygiene – a protective measure for the flu, colds and COVID-19. Hand sanitizer stations will remain across campus, and masks will remain available at several locations.  
  • In indoor settings, unvaccinated individuals and those at greater risk of developing COVID-19 are encouraged to wear masks to protect themselves and others.  

Move-In Guidance  

We encourage students to get tested, vaccinated or boosted before returning to campus. Testing, vaccination and boosters will be available for students and their families during Move-In on Friday, Aug. 19, and Saturday, Aug. 20, from 8 a.m. until noon in Trask Coliseum. No appointment is necessary.   

COVID-19 Guidance   

If you feel unwell, please do not attend in-person classes, participate in on-campus events, or work on site until your symptoms subside.     

  • Students: If you suspect you have COVID-19, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or experienced any of these symptoms, please contact the Student Health Center at 910.962.3280 or email coronavirus@uncw.edu.   
  • Students who test positive are required to isolate five days from the date of the positive test, regardless of their vaccination status. On-campus students who test positive should plan to return home to complete their isolation period. Students who are unable to return home will shelter-in-place. The Student Health Center staff will assist with meal arrangements.  
  • Employees: Employees who are exhibiting COVID-like symptoms (or who have been in close contact with individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19) should contact their health care provider as needed, notify their supervisor, and then notify the UNCW Student Health Center at coronavirus@uncw.edu and their supervisor. Employees who test positive are required to isolate five days from the date of the positive test, regardless of their vaccination status. 
  • Supervisors: Please confer with the Student Health Center at coronavirus@uncw.edu or 910.962.0587 and Human Resources at 910.962.3160. Useful tools and guidance also are available from Human Resources.     
  • Students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 at an off-campus facility are encouraged to inform Student Health at coronavirus@uncw.edu to support the staff’s ongoing effort to monitor the presence of the virus within our community.  

Testing Availability  

Voluntary rapid COVID-19 surveillance testing will continue to be available at no cost for faculty, staff and students at the Student Health Center. No appointment is needed.  

  • Until Aug. 12: Testing is available Monday-Thursday 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. and Friday 9-11 a.m. 
  • Beginning Aug. 15: Testing is available Monday-Friday 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.  

Course Modality Modifications 

Similar to previous semesters, guidance related to temporary course modality modifications for COVID-related reasons has been issued by the Office of the Provost. Faculty with questions related to course modality modifications should contact their department chair or school director. 

Face Coverings   

At present, face coverings are optional at indoor and outdoor UNCW locations except where required by state or federal law and regulations, which include:   

  • Campus health care facilities – the Student Health Center, the Counseling Center, all athletic training facilities, and the General Psychology & Assessment Clinic.  
  • Locations where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was required before the pandemic began (some laboratories and research areas, for example). Please contact Environmental Health and Safety at ehs@uncw.edu with questions.  
  • Some community members may choose to continue wearing face coverings for various reasons. Please respect their decision. If an employee asks another employee, student or guest to wear a mask inside their individual office, please honor the request or make alternate arrangements to meet outdoors, by phone or virtually.  

Vaccinations and Boosters  - Please see updated guidance.

Free vaccinations and boosters for students, faculty, staff and community members are available on campus through the Student Health Center. As of Aug. 15, vaccines and boosters will be available Tuesday and Friday 8:30-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.  Please call 910-962-3280 before Aug. 15 to confirm vaccine times. No appointments are necessary.    

Students, faculty and staff who were vaccinated or received a booster off campus, and have not already submitted it, are encouraged to send a photo of your vaccination card to the Student Health Center at coronavirus@uncw.edu. The Student Health Center has a vaccination record for students, faculty and staff who were vaccinated on campus. Note: your confidential health information will be protected.   

Vaccinations and boosters are also available at many locations in the community and across the state. See NCDHHS information for more details.    

About Monkeypox  

The Student Health Center and EH&S are monitoring monkeypox and will share information with the campus as needed. Information about monkeypox is available on the Center for Disease Control website.   

Questions and Resources    

If you have questions, please email coronavirus@uncw.edu. Additional information can be found at Best for the Nest, the university’s COVID-19 resource site, and the Student Health Center site.   

Thank you in advance for your commitment to keeping our campus a healthy learning environment for all Seahawks. We will continue monitoring conditions and inform the campus community of any changes to these plans. We are looking forward to a great semester at UNCW.    

 

Local and State Dashboards and Resources

Questions? Contact coronavirus@uncw.edu