Dear Loyola,

This wasn’t the start to the semester that any of us expected. We know many of you are feeling the exhaustion of the last few weeks. But we’re here to support you, Wolf Pack! As we prepare to come back together, here are some important public health resources and reminders.

At Loyola, we care about the whole you—your body, mind, and spirit. Take time this week to check in with yourself and your loved ones. 

Loyola’s Counselor On-Call is available 24/7 for emotional support and mental health crises. Call 504.865.3835, press 1 at the prompt.

Loyola has a Student Hardship Fund to assist students when they need it. Students can apply for these funds at any time.

If you are looking for a space to discuss and reflect on your experiences during the hurricane, join the Ida Trauma Processing Group hosted by the University Counseling Center. You can join any of the following sessions:

Email Minden Vigier to RSVP and receive meeting details. 

Employees can get support from the Employee Assistance Program, a resource that provides help for a variety of personal issues.

Faculty, staff, and students should report symptoms of COVID-19, exposure, or a positive test result on Loyola’s Public Health Portal, which is available on the “Quick Links” page through your Single Sign On (SSO) for easy access. Check this page if you need help logging into the portal.

As an extra level of protection, we are requiring all faculty, staff, and students who are unvaccinated to submit proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours prior to or upon return to campus on the public health portal. Student Health will provide rapid COVID-19 tests to be self-administered on site for unvaccinated students returning this week. Check your email for detailed instructions.

If you feel sick, schedule a COVID test and follow the recommendations of your healthcare provider. Students, faculty, and staff who feel any symptoms of COVID can schedule a testing appointment at SHS by calling 504.865.3326, M – F, 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. You should also report your symptoms on the public health portal. 

If you’ve been in close contact with someone with COVID or receive a contact trace notification from someone outside of Loyola, please report it immediately on the portal or email covid@loyno.edu. Public Health will conduct contact tracing for the Loyola community and let you know your next steps.

If you begin to experience any symptoms of COVID, or if you are concerned about a potential exposure at any point prior to your planned return, please do not return to campus. Get tested at your current location. Email covid@loyno.edu to notify Public Health.

Check the “Get Tested for COVID-19” section on our Symptoms, Testing, and Contact Tracing page for a list of other testing locations. If you need assistance in finding a testing site, the public health team is happy to help. You can schedule a virtual visit with them for help with testing or any other questions you may have. 

If you were due to get your second vaccine shot and your appointment was disrupted due to Hurricane Ida, we can help you find a vaccination site. Please call Student Health at 504.865.3326 or make a virtual appointment with Public Health. 

Our public health team will also hold office hours from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., Monday – Friday in the Student Affairs suite (Danna Center 205, directly above Starbucks). Drop in or schedule a consultation ahead of time. 

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 every other Tuesday, with special editions on other days if needed. Explore our archive on the FAQ website to see previous editions.