On March 24, 2020 it was confirmed that the first Wake Forest student tested positive for COVID-19.
Q. What is open now? How can I access food on campus?
A. Visit the Campus Resources website for detailed information. Meal delivery to your residence hall is now available, as well as grocery delivery from Harvest Table. Details and request forms can be found on Hospitality & Auxiliary Services .
Q. Why can't I know where a student with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 lives?
A. In order to comply with privacy laws, Wake Forest University cannot release that information. The Student Health Service, in conjunction with the Forsyth County Health Department, will be in touch with any close contacts identified by the affected student. Those close contacts will be advised of the need to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms.
Q. Am I safe in my residence hall?
A: The COVID-19 virus is spread by respiratory droplet transmission. This means the virus is heavy and will not travel through ventilation systems or linger in the air. It falls to the ground pretty quickly. Being in the same building in a separate room would not place anyone at risk, and there is not a risk from air ventilation systems. Dr. Christopher Ohl, Wake Forest Baptist Health infectious disease specialist, reminds people to stay calm, practice social distancing. See the video »
A: Yes. With the guidance of local public health officials, SHS has established policies and a protocol to isolate patients seeking care for possible COVID-19 from other patients. Assessment and care of individuals with symptoms of possible COVID-19 infection enter and leave the through a separate door not used by other patients. Assessment and treatment take place in an area separate from other examination rooms. Rooms used for COVID-19 evaluation are not used for other reasons and are decontaminated using methods recommended by the CDC.
Virtual appointments with a provider are now available to Wake Forest University students.
All students are asked to call Student Health at 336.758.5218 before going to the clinic to assess the best care options.
A. Do the five
The CDC now recommends the use of cloth face coverings. Learn more.
Q. What if I think I might have COVID-19?
A: The SHS will be offering telehealth visits for patients. All students with symptoms of COVID-19 will be assessed with video visits.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, most people do not need a test. When you leave your home to get tested, you could expose yourself to COVID-19 if you do not already have it. If you do have it, you can give it to someone else, including people who are high risk.
A. Over 80% of individuals who become ill with the virus can care for themselves at home and will not need treatment in the hospital.
For any students in isolation and those who test positive, the Student Health Service is in daily phone contact with them to check in. With the requirement to stay in their rooms and observe all isolation rules, meals will be delivered to their door. Residence Life and Housing will also support isolated students via phone or other virtual contact. There is significant daily contact and support from the Student Health Service, Residence Life and Housing, and other support offices on campus as needed.
A. Individuals can return to normal activities (released from isolation) when they can answer YES to all the following questions:
- Has it been at least seven (7) days since the first symptoms?
- Have they been without fever for three days (72 hours) without any medicine for fever?
- Are other symptoms improved?
Interested in having a Wake Forest faculty or staff member check in with you on occasion?
Sign up for Adopt-a-Deac, which pairs a Wake Forest faculty/staff member volunteer with a student living on campus to check in with and ask questions of.
