Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Student Health Services is an essential component in assisting the Xavier Community in its comprehensive efforts to keep students and employees safe by enacting health and safety policies that align with the guidance from local, state, and federal public health authorities as well as the American College Health Association.
We will offer asymptomatic testing for all students and employees and will work closely with the Public Health Sciences department for contact tracing, identification and quarantine of all persons exposed to COVID-19.
Student Health Services will assist with managing all students with COVID-19 symptoms or diagnosis and all students under quarantine after exposure, including placement in isolation/quarantine housing, psychological support, support for basic needs, and ongoing monitoring while isolated.
We strongly encourage the Xavier Community to take on individual responsibility and commitment in abiding by health guidelines to successfully mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Institutional controls are only as effective as the willingness of individuals to carry them out. It will be imperative for everyone—faculty, staff, and students—to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Louisiana State Department of Health, and the local guidelines of the New Orleans Health Department.
A successful semester will consist of vigorous testing, deft contact tracing, and the timely isolation or quarantine of ill and exposed campus community members.
Surveillance Testing
- The University has been testing students all semester.
- Weekly students are invited to take part in PCR testing.
- Students that are seen in Health Services due to symptoms, exposure or both are PCR and rapid-tested. Rapid for immediate diagnostic findings and PCR for diagnostic findings and variant determination by the state.
Quarantine and Isolation
- Isolation is designated for any student who tests positive for COVID19.
- Quarantine is more individualized. Based on assessment, findings of the provider, and information provided by the patient, medical staff will determine if you will be placed in quarantine.
- If the student has had a significant exposure such as from living with a roommate who has tested positive, the medical staff will require this student to quarantine.
- If a student has an exposure in a class, where masks were worn and social distancing was practiced, the medical staff will monitor for symptoms, but quarantining is not required.
- The final decision in Student Health Services is made by the medical provider (MD or NP) who is evaluating the student.
- When a student is placed in isolation/quarantine, staff in Student Health Services will work in tandem with the academic dean's office to ensure the continuity of academic coursework.
- Residential students with roommates who test positive, are separated from their non-positive roommate. Those students may be assigned to temporary isolation rooms. Note: two COVID positive students may be placed together in an isolation room.
- If a student's roommate tests positive they will be placed in a temporary quarantine room. Note: this could be their original housing assignment.
- Commuter students who test positive or have had significant exposure are advised to isolate/quarantine in place at their off-campus locations.
- Dining Services works in concert with Residential Education and Student Health Services to provide an assortment of snacks, water and continental breakfast, designed to last throughout the duration of the isolation/quarantine for Residential Students. Students in isolation/quarantine also receive two meals delivered to their rooms per day.
- Staff in the Counseling Center will make daily contact (either in person or via phone) with students in isolation/quarantine. Staff will provide wellness checks and assist the students in communicating with faculty regarding their academic needs.
- If the students are quarantined at UNO, the University will provide transportation and all protocols for residential students are observed.
COVID 19 RESOURCES
Contact Us
Office of Student Health Services
St. Joseph Academic & Health Resource Center
Building #13, Room 217
Office: 504-520-7396
Fax: 504-520-7962
Mailing Address
1 Drexel Drive
P.O. Box 36
New Orleans, LA 70125
Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Closed for Lunch