Dear Loyola,

Welcome back! As we return to campus, please make sure you are aware of the latest policies and public health best practices. In the spirit of getting back into study mode, we’ve put together a brief COVID-19 refresher below. Test your knowledge and make sure you’re ready for a safe semester!

Please contact covid@loyno.edu with any COVID-related questions or if you test positive for COVID.

Hurricane Safety 101

We have a few months left of hurricane season. Make sure you’re prepared in case we need to evacuate or ride out a storm. Emergency preparedness also includes COVID-19 safety.

COVID-19 essentials to pack during a hurricane evacuation:

3-5 at-home COVID tests
Masks (KN95 and N95 are best)
Prescription and over the counter supportive medications
Thermometer and basic first aid kit

Update your emergency information in LORA Self-Service:

Log into your LORA Self-Service account
Find your contact information under “User Options” and then “User Profile”
Make sure your home/permanent address is accurate
Add your local address if you live off-campus
Check that your emergency notification phone number listed is correct – we will send you text alerts to this phone number if there is an emergency

All students must submit an emergency evacuation plan. You can review detailed instructions to submit your plan through our application called The Housing Director accessible through SSO.

For more hurricane tips, check out our emergency website.

Pop Quiz: When Should You Mask?

For the most part, masking is optional on campus, but we do require masking in specific situations.

Question: When is masking required on campus?

Answer:

For 10 days following a positive COVID-19 test result
For 10 days following exposure to COVID-19
When you are at the Student Health Clinic

Question: When is masking recommended?

Answer:

If you are sick with any respiratory illness (even if you tested negative for COVID-19)
If you are caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19
If you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe illness
If you live with or have social contact with someone who is at higher risk of severe illness
During times of increased community transmission, as reflected in the CDC’s Community Levels

Question: What’s the best type of mask?

Answer:

Choose N95 or KN95 masks for optimal protection

Self-Monitoring vs. Isolation

Regardless of your vaccination status, all Loyola community members must follow our self-monitoring and isolation policies outlined below. Make sure you know the difference and when to contact Loyola’s public health team.

Follow self-monitoring protocols after potential exposure to COVID-19:

Take extra precautions for 10 full days following exposure. (The day you are exposed is considered day 0, and day 1 is the first full day or 24 hours following exposure.)
- Wear a mask inside your home and in public around others.
- Avoid public places where you are unable to mask.
- Be extra careful and avoid spending time in-person, within 6 feet or less, with high-risk individuals if possible.
- Watch for symptoms of COVID-19 and test/isolate immediately if you feel sick.
Get tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure. (Take a test on day 6 following exposure.)
- If you test negative, continue to take precautions for the full 10 days.
- If you test positive, isolate immediately and email covid@loyno.edu.

Follow isolation protocols after a positive COVID test result:

Report a positive COVID-19 test result immediately by emailing covid@loyno.edu.
Loyola follows the CDC’s guidelines for isolation, which requires you to isolate for at least 5 days. The amount of time in isolation will depend on the length of illness, presence of symptoms, and health care provider’s guidance.
Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home.
Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.
Do not travel.
Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.
Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.

You will need to continue to monitor your symptoms and wear a mask in public and any time you are around others for a full 10 days following a positive test result. For more detailed instructions, please review our COVID-19 symptoms and testing page.

Homework: Stay Up-to-Date on COVID-19 Vaccinations

Loyola requires students to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster shots. Follow the guidance from the CDC to determine when you are eligible for booster shots.

Monkeypox is a virus that spreads between people through direct contact with an infectious person that has a rash or scabs, or through bodily fluids. It can also be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact, or intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling, or intercourse. A person is considered contagious as soon as symptoms develop, and these symptoms can occur 1-2 weeks after exposure.

The primary symptom of Monkeypox is a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, mouth, hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. Additional symptoms may include:

Fever
Swollen lymph nodes
Headache
Chills
Muscle aches
Back pain
Exhaustion

Prevention tips:

Avoid skin-to-skin contact with people that have a rash.
Don’t share drinks and food with other people.
Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
Do not handle clothes, bedding, or towels of someone with Monkeypox.
A Monkeypox vaccine is available to the public.

Students who have been exposed to Monkeypox or have symptoms should call Student Health Services immediately at 504-865-3326 (available M–F, 8:30–4:45 p.m.). Self-monitoring and isolation protocols are required for Monkeypox. Student Health will review your next steps during your phone consultation.

COVID Connections is a round-up of important information to help keep everyone in our campus community informed and safe. It arrives in your inbox monthly, with special editions on other days if needed. Explore our archive on the FAQ website to see previous editions.

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New Orleans, LA | 70115 US

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