Hendrix College and the COVID-19 Response Steering Committee
continue to closely monitor conditions and public health guidance. This webpage
will continue to be updated based on CDC guidance and consultation with the
community’s COVID Education Consortium which includes Conway Regional Health
System.
General Questions: Email aboutcovid19@hendrix.edu
This FAQ list was most recently updated on February 22, 2023.
Where can I find up-to-date information about COVID-19
transmission levels?
For Arkansas: The
Arkansas Department of Health
For National: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)'s COVID Data Tracker
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?
Faculty, staff, and students are expected to self-report any
positive COVID-19 test results to the COVID Response Team here: Report
a Positive Test Result. A letter containing detailed guidance can be
requested that can also be shared as documentation with instructors or
supervisors.
Anyone who has COVID-19 should follow current CDC
Guidelines for isolation and notify their close contacts. A close contact
is someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a total of
15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. An infected person can spread the
virus starting 2 days before they have any symptoms or, for people
without symptoms, 2 days before the positive specimen collection date.
Why
is it still important for us to report positive COVID tests?
As
the COVID pandemic slowly winds down we’re seeing only a small proportion of
new cases being reported. This is true nationally and at the state
level, and it may also be true at Hendrix College. For young,
healthy people the lack of reporting is probably not an important issue any
longer; they have sufficient immunity from vaccines or prior infections that
their risk of developing severe disease if infected is quite
small. However, for older people (and anyone with a compromised
immune system) the pandemic is still a very dangerous situation. It
behooves all of us to report new cases promptly so that we can provide at-risk
people with the best information possible. In the event of a sudden increase in
new cases, we must be able to alert these people as quickly as possible so they
can take the precautions needed to protect themselves.
What if I’ve been exposed to COVID-19?
People who are identified as close contacts should
follow CDC
recommendations to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
How should students with COVID handle missed classes?
Instructors have been asked to work with any students
missing class the way they normally would with any student who is ill and could
not attend. Students are responsible for communicating any absences to their
instructors.
Can I isolate in campus housing?
Yes, students who live on campus may isolate in campus
housing. To do so safely, you should avoid close contact with others as much as
possible including wearing a well-fitting mask around others, asking others to
help with food delivery and choosing to-go options from campus dining, not
having visitors in your room, washing your hands more frequently, and using
communal showers or bathrooms at less busy times. If you or your roommate have
concerns about isolating in campus housing, contact Residence Life for
assistance. If you need assistance with meals or other supplies such
as masks, talk to your RA.
How should I get meals during isolation?
Students may access to-go options from the Dining Hall. To
pick up meals, students should exit isolation fully-masked and distanced and
then return to isolation to consume their meal. Remember to return your
reusable to-go container or take the issued orange carabiner to the Dining Hall
when using to-go services.
Are face coverings required on campus?
Masks are optional in all campus buildings. The Campus COVID
Steering Committee asks that all community members continue to support
classmates and colleagues who elect to wear masks on campus. We will continue
to monitor public health guidance and the presence and effect of COVID-19
variants in Arkansas. Based upon conditions, the College may update its mask
policies and notify campus. Whenever feasible, an N95 mask is considered the
most effective mask.
Are there any COVID restrictions on guests/visitors on
campus?
Currently, there are no COVID restrictions that apply to
guests or visitors. Guests should continue to follow regular college visitor
policies.
Whom do I contact if I need to request health-related
accommodations?
Students who are at high risk of severe illness from
COVID-19 may contact Julie Brown, Director of Academic Success, at brownj@hendrix.edu to discuss academic
accommodations for health and safety concerns; staff members who are at high
risk or have family who are high risk may contact Vicki Lynn in Human Resources
at lynn@hendrix.edu to discuss work accommodations
for health and safety concerns; and faculty may contact Vicki Lynn and/or Terri
Bonebright (bonebright@hendrix.edu).
Where can students get vaccinated?
Students may obtain vaccinations at a provider of their
choice. The Hendrix Medical Clinic is among the
sites providing COVID-19 vaccinations (Pfizer and Moderna).
Call 501-852-1366 to schedule an appointment.
Where can I get tested or receive treatment if I am sick?
Students may schedule healthcare visits by calling the
Hendrix Medical Clinic, 501-852-1366. When you call, please mention
that you are a Hendrix student and be prepared to give the clinic your student
ID number. You may also make an appointment at www.conwayregional.org/hendrix.
If COVID-19 testing is needed, the clinic has testing available.
The clinic is open to students, faculty, staff, and the
public. Students have three free visits to the clinic per academic year.
Will official College travel be allowed?
Students, faculty, and staff are allowed to travel on
official College business. Special COVID approval for domestic and
international travel is no longer required, but we do ask travelers to follow
any destination COVID protocols and to regularly monitor for COVID
symptoms. Those who are traveling should follow COVID-19 safety policies
as if on campus unless stricter guidelines are required by the program site. Please
register your College-sponsored travel (domestic or international) by
completing the Hendrix
College Travel Management Form at least 30 days before you depart. The travel
policy for U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Levels still applies.
Anyone traveling to a Level 2 or 3 country should also complete the College’s supplemental
liability forms. Travel to Level 4 countries will be strictly off limits
(unless at a Level 4 only due to COVID-19).
What can I do to protect myself from severe
illness?
The best way to prevent severe illness from COVID-19 is
vaccination and staying up to date on your vaccination (including receiving all
recommended boosters when eligible).
What treatment options are currently available for
COVID-19?
Various COVID treatments are available depending on one’s
age, health status, and symptoms. Ask your health care provider about your
options.
Treating mild to moderate disease.
Paxlovid and Lagevrio (mulnupiravir)
are oral medications that have been shown effective at preventing mild/moderate
disease from progressing to severe disease. They are available for individuals
with increased likelihood of developing severe disease due to age,
immunodeficiency, or certain other medical problems. To be effective, either
drug must be started within five days of the onset of symptoms. Trials have
shown Paxlovid to be more effective for most patients, but Lagevrio may be
appropriate for others under specific circumstances.
Remdesivir is an injected drug that helps people
recover more quickly but has little if any effect on the development of severe
disease. It is given by injections (over the course of three days) which must
begin within seven days of the onset of symptoms.
Whom do I contact if I have other questions?
Email aboutcovid19@hendrix.edu