Wellness and Prevention

What You Need to Know Now

• As of March 31 all Indiana residents age 16 and older are eligible to schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 
• View the COVID-19 Dashboard, which relies on information that is self-reported, to see case and quarantine data for our campus.
• Hand-sanitizer stations, sanitizing wipes, and other disinfecting supplies are located in all classrooms and throughout campus buildings.
• Social distancing has become the norm, and we will continue to adhere to now-commonplace practices for distancing. Floor decals are in place to help denote spacing in some public areas. Signage has been placed around campus with reminders for social distancing and hygiene.
• Temperature kiosks are set up in Kettler Hall and Walb Student Union. 
• Effective Monday, June 28, face masks will no longer be required inside campus buildings for anyone who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, face masks will no longer be required for anyone in outdoor settings.

COVID-19 Vaccine

• Who Should Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

  All Purdue Fort Wayne and Indiana University Fort Wayne students, staff, and faculty age 16 and older are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the state of Indiana. The university strongly recommends that all students, staff, and faculty get a vaccine. Vaccines protect the individual and our entire campus community. Even if you have already had COVID-19, you should still get a vaccine.

• Why Should I Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

  COVID-19 vaccines are safe, highly effective, and free. As more members of our campus community get fully vaccinated, it will be easier for us to relax current health and safety protocols. Participation in some university activities may require a COVID-19 vaccine in the future.

  Individuals who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to self-quarantine after they are exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (as long as that individual remains symptom-free) and can feel safe participating in small gatherings and traveling.

• Where Can I Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

  The simplest way to schedule an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine is to use the State of Indiana’s portal. You can use the portal to find out which vaccine each site is currently administering. Many vaccine locations are also accepting walk-ins without an appointment.

  CVS, Kroger, Meijer, Walgreens, Walmart, and other healthcare providers and pharmacies are also now providing the COVID-19 vaccine.

  To find the closest vaccine sites to where you live, simply text your ZIP code to 438829 and within seconds you will receive a list of sites near you. 

  If you have made a vaccination appointment through the state portal and need to cancel or reschedule for any reason (including getting a vaccine at an earlier date), please call 211 to cancel your appointment. This enables the state to give your appointment time to someone else who needs a vaccine.

• Remember Your Second Dose

  The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines each require a second dose in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine will be scheduled for three weeks after the first dose. The second dose of the Moderna vaccine will be scheduled for four weeks after the first dose. If you need to reschedule your second dose, be sure to find a location that administers the same kind of vaccine as your first dose.

  The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only a single dose. Administration of this vaccine was temporarily paused while CDC and FDA investigated reports of rare but serious side effects. Administration of this vaccine has resumed, but women younger than 50 years of age should be aware of the rare risk of side effects and may wish to consider using the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine instead.

  You may experience mild side effects after you receive the final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Any symptoms will usually subside within 48 hours.

• Other Things to Keep In Mind

  While the COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective—especially at preventing serious illness—no vaccine is 100 percent effective. Fully vaccinated individuals who display symptoms of COVID-19—especially after a known exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19—should isolate themselves and get tested.

Wellness and Prevention

• Campus Health Clinic and COVID-19 Testing for Symptomatic Individuals

  To keep our campus healthy, the Campus Health Clinic has modified its services. This allows the clinic to better serve the number of students on campus and the faculty and staff who are working on campus or teleworking from home.

  Everyone who enters the clinic must wear a mask or face covering, have their temperature checked, and will be asked screening questions.  

  The office has implemented additional cleaning measures in patient contact areas to ensure the safety and well-being of patients.   

  The clinic has reserved the hours of 8:30 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for well visits, such as Healthy Boiler screening and physicals. 

  Students, faculty, and staff who are experiencing symptoms that coincide with strep throat, flu, or COVID-19 should schedule a telehealth visit with the Campus Health Clinic. These visits occur from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The clinic will refer appropriate patients for a scheduled drive-through COVID-19 test. Drive-through testing (which is done by appointments only) will take place at the Walb Union Circle Drive location. Individuals who need to schedule a telehealth visit, may call the clinic at 260-481-5748.

  After an individual is tested, they should remain away from campus while they are symptomatic and awaiting test results. If their COVID-19 test comes back negative, they can return to campus once their symptoms improve and they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. If their COVID-19 test comes back positive, they can return to campus after they have met three criteria: (1) it has been 10 days since symptoms first appeared, (2) they have been 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and (3) their COVID-19 symptoms have improved.

  See the Campus Health Clinic website for hours and appointment information.

  The clinic is limiting the number of patients in the facility to those needing services. Do not bring anyone with you, as they will not be allowed to enter the clinic.

  The Campus Health Clinic receives regular updates from the Allen County Department of Health and follows COVID-19 guidelines set by the CDC.

  Lutheran Health, which manages the clinic, has established a dedicated phone number for patients to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week if they believe they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or have come in contact with anyone with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. Contact the Lutheran Health Network COVID-19 line at 260-435-5050.

• COVID-19 Testing for Asymptomatic Individuals

  The Indiana State Department of Health, Allen County Department of Health, and a variety of private providers offer COVID-19 testing. Please see here for information on all testing locations available in the state. State and County testing sites are free for all Indiana residents regardless of symptoms.

• Plan of Action When a Student Tests Positive for COVID-19

  See the plan of action [PDF] for when a student tests positive for COVID-19. 

• Plan of Action When a Faculty or Staff Member Tests Positive for COVID-19

  See the plan of action [PDF] for when a faculty or staff member tests positive for COVID-19. 

• New Guidelines for Self-Quarantine (Updated on March 1)

  See the plan of action [PDF] for when a student needs to quarantine.

  See the plan of action [PDF] for when a faculty or staff member needs to quarantine.

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Indiana State Department of Health have released updated guidelines on self-quarantines for people who have been close contacts with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The updated guidelines continue to recommend observing a 14-day self-quarantine if you are a close contact, but provide two options for reducing the duration of the quarantine: 

  1. Quarantine can end after day 10 without a COVID-19 test as long as the individual has remained symptom-free.
  2. Quarantine can end after day 7 with a negative COVID-19 test, as long as
  1. the test was performed on day 5 or later,
  2. the test results come back negative before quarantine is ended, and
  3. the individual has remained symptom-free.

  
  In either case, an individual leaving quarantine before day 14 should continue to monitor symptoms through day 14 and should immediately isolate themselves if they should become symptomatic. They should also be vigilant about observing recommended preventive measures at all times, including wearing a face mask, observing social distancing, and practicing good hand hygiene.

  If you are in self-quarantine, please be sure to clearly communicate your plan for safely returning to campus to those responsible for ensuring the health and safety of our campus community. For students, this includes the CARE Team and instructors. For employees, this includes human resources and your supervisor.

  Special Quarantine Protocols for Individuals Who Have Been Vaccinated for COVID-19

  The CDC recommends that vaccinated persons with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet all the following criteria:

  • Are fully vaccinated (i.e., more than two weeks following receipt of the second dose in a two-dose series, or more than two weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure 

  
  Those who do not meet all three of these criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

  Please refer to the CDC website for additional guidance for individuals who have been fully vaccinated.

• Employees with a Fever, Cough, or Other Concerning Symptoms

  Employees who are ill are encouraged to stay home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicine. Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick. If illness develops during work, managers should recommend that employees who are sick remain off duty (i.e., on sick leave) until symptoms resolve and that they seek medical assistance, as appropriate. If an employee declines to take leave, managers should consult Human Resources.

  Anyone sick and believed to be at risk for COVID-19 infection should be advised to contact by phone their personal doctor or the Purdue Fort Wayne Campus Health Clinic’s COVID-19 assessment line (260-435-5050). Convenient and cost-effective care options such as Telemedicine are also available for those covered by a Purdue health plan who need to see a physician quickly and are unable to get in to see their primary care physician. The Allen County Department of Health can be reached during business hours at 260-449-4838.

  In addition, everyone should be taking preventive measures (practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing; cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve if you cough or sneeze; and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands) in an effort to slow the spread. Managers are encouraged to post hand hygiene flyers throughout work areas.

• COVID-19 in Indiana and Allen County

  Current data on COVID-19 in Indiana and Allen County are available on the Indiana State Department of Health and Allen County Department of Health.

• Cleaning, Sanitation, and Air Quality on Campus

  Deep Cleaning and Sanitization
  The university has been implementing enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols everywhere. To further enhance our cleaning efforts and frequency, the university is also working with a cleaning vendor to hire an additional 12 custodians.

  We are undertaking a comprehensive approach to preparing classrooms and labs to maintain social distancing, provide protective barriers, decrease density, and provide enhanced cleaning and sanitization. This includes reconfiguring classrooms and strictly limiting the number of seats based on the size of each room. Classrooms will be cleaned and sanitized at least twice daily, and clear protective partitions will be installed in the front of all classrooms. Additional measures and procedures are being developed to control traffic flow in and out of classrooms and between classes.

  Hand Sanitizer
  Hand sanitizer stations, sanitizing wipes, and other disinfecting supplies will be located in all classrooms and throughout campus buildings.

  Air Quality
  Air handling units in all buildings have been undergoing inspections and upgrades, and will now be running 24/7 in order to provide maximum air circulation, air balance, and room air exchanges (six to 15 exchanges per hour). Air filters are being significantly upgraded with the highest-rated filters possible. Some filter units are being replaced with units with high-efficiency capacity.

• Temperature Kiosks

  Temperature kiosks are available on the first floor of Kettler Hall and Walb Student Union. They’re designed to provide a quick temperature reading safely. When you arrive at the kiosk, simply follow the on-screen directions. 

• Behavioral Health Support

  For your behavioral health needs, the Bowen Center provides short-term counseling services for members of the Purdue Fort Wayne community. Call 800-342-5653 for private counseling over the phone. You can also request assistance by sending a message to sapreferrals@bowencenter.org. When making an appointment, please indicate that you are a student, faculty, or staff member of Purdue Fort Wayne or Indiana University Fort Wayne.

  Children may find it particularly difficult to cope with the changes, uncertainty, and fear suddenly present in their lives. The Bowen Center has put together a handout with tips for talking with children about the pandemic in ways they’ll understand.

  For crisis intervention outside of regular operating hours, call the Bowen Center’s 24-hour helpline at 800-342-5653. In the event of an emergency, call 911.

• Indiana State Department of Health Recommendation for Close Contacts of Close Contacts

  The Indiana State Department of Health has advised that a close contact of a close contact does not need to quarantine. Even if the close contact is someone that you live with, a person who has come into close contact with someone who is a close contact of someone else who has tested positive for COVID-19 is not required to quarantine under current public-health guidance. This situation changes, of course, if the close contact subsequently becomes positive, at which point all those who are their close contacts, including everyone they live with, should immediately self-quarantine.