Wellness and Prevention

What You Need to Know Now

• View the new 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.
• Face masks are required by everyone on campus—in every building on campus, effective immediately. As a good practice, masks should be worn in other high-density locations, such as in gatherings outside or transitioning in crowds to other buildings on campus. This includes contractors, vendors, suppliers, and visitors.

Wellness and Prevention

• 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. 

• Fall Semester Plans

  Purdue Fort Wayne will be open for in-person instruction this fall.

  We look forward to welcoming students to campus in mid-August, and we’re busy preparing for their arrival.

  We take very seriously our mission to provide a first-rate education for our students in an environment that is healthy, safe, and secure for all. “Students First” is one of our cherished institutional core values underpinning our Strategic Plan. Embodying the spirt of that imperative, our goal in opening up campus is to ensure that all students who seek a traditional college experience have access to the richest and fullest experience possible. We are committed to delivering just that within a campus environment that is changing during the next two months to meet their needs and expectations.

  Please be assured that the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority and continues to guide our decision-making as we plan intensively for the fall semester. We are guided by best practices and recommended protocols from the CDC and other public health officials. We also continue to rely on the significant expertise of our senior leaders and colleagues here on campus, as well as the resources and expertise of the PFW Prepared Committee. Additionally, we have the benefit of input and guidance from leaders in the Purdue University system, including the expertise of the Protect Purdue Medical Advisory Committee.

• Current CDC Guidance for Universities

  The most recent number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Allen County is available on the Department of Health’s COVID-19 web page.

• CDC Advisory on Methanol-Based Hand Sanitizers

  On July 5, the CDC released a health advisory regarding the serious adverse health events associated with methanol-based hand sanitizers. Read the full message for more information. 

• Current CDC Guidance for Universities

  This page offers guidance for institutions of higher education regarding administration, cleaning, and travel.

• Current Guidance on Wearing Cloth Face Masks

  In accordance with CDC guidance, anyone inside a Purdue Fort Wayne building is now required to wear a face mask. Please plan to have a face mask with you at all times when on campus so that you can adhere to this new protocol.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance on how masks may help slow the spread of COVID-19 in certain situations. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social-distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as at grocery stores and pharmacies.

  The CDC has also issued how-to instructions for creating, wearing, and sanitizing cloth masks. Please keep in mind that these coverings don’t replace social-distancing and stay-at-home directives. Faculty and staff are permitted to provide their own cloth masks and wear them at work as long as CDC recommendations for making, wearing, and cleaning the masks are carefully followed.

  As a reminder, please avoid seeking out surgical masks and N95 respirators for everyday use. These are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

• Campus Health Clinic and COVID-19

  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 12 p.m. 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. 

  Patients who are experiencing symptoms that coincide with strep throat, flu, or COVID-19 should schedule a telehealth visit with the Campus Health Clinic. The clinic will then refer appropriate patients for a drive-through test The location for the drive-through testing visit (done by appointment only) will occur in the P3 parking ramp. Patients will receive instructions if indicated for COVID-19 testing and these services would occur from 12:30 pm. To 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

  After an individual is tested, they should remain away from campus while they are symptomatic and awaiting test results. If their COVID 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 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 symptoms have improved.

  Telemedicine visits are now available to Purdue Fort Wayne students, faculty, and staff. To schedule an appointment, contact the Campus Health Clinic at 260-481-5748 to be screened; clinic staff will determine whether an in-person or virtual visit is needed.

  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.

   

• Cleaning, Sanitation, and Air Quality on Campus

  Deep-Cleaning and Sanitization
  The university has been implementing enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols everywhere. While most faculty and staff have been working remotely since March, campus cleaning crews have been deep-cleaning classrooms, offices, computer labs, public areas, restrooms, etc. Enhanced sanitization protocols are in place and will increase as more people begin returning to campus. 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.

• 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.

• Contact Tracing for Students, Faculty, and Staff

  Please see the message to instructors on Contact Tracing Guidelines from Chancellor Elsenbaumer.
  
  Purdue Fort Wayne has been notified of the procedures in place after a patient tests positive for COVID-19 in our area. The Allen County Department of Health says that upon a positive test, an investigator from the health department will contact the individual to discuss any high-risk contacts they may have had while they were infectious. Those contacts will then be notified of a potential exposure and provided additional guidance, as needed. Health department tracing includes asking about the type of contact had with others, and the length of those contacts, in order to assess risk levels.

  Additionally, all positive tests are reported by the local health department or the laboratory that processed the test to the Indiana State Department of Health, which then reports to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Keep in mind that as access to rapid testing in our community grows, it’s possible that individuals may learn of a positive test before it’s reported to the health department. To protect personal and confidential health information, please exercise caution in sharing test results broadly, such as in social media and email.

• Encountering Someone Who Is Sick

  As with influenza or contagious illnesses such as colds, maintaining a distance of three to six feet from the person is a starting point. Do not shake hands or make other physical contact. Offer the individual a tissue and ask the person to cover their mouth and nose if they should need to cough or sneeze, and have them put the tissue in the trash. Use an antiviral wipe or spray, after the person has left, to wipe those areas of your work station that the person has touched. There may be situations in which a meeting can be rescheduled to a time when the person is feeling better, or the business can be conducted by phone or email. Do not hesitate to offer this suggestion if it is appropriate.

  This page offers guidance from the CDC for institutions of higher education.

• Medical Services and Payment Options for Students

  For more information on medical services, contact the Campus Health Clinic at 260-481-5748. Visit the Campus Health Clinic website for information on financial arrangements and assistance.

• 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.

• COVID-19 Testing on Campus

  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. The clinic will then refer appropriate patients for a drive-through test. The location for the drive-through testing visit (done by appointments only) will occur in the P3 parking ramp. Patients will receive instruction if indicated for COVID-19 testing and these services would occur from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

  After an individual is tested, they should remain away from campus while they are symptomatic and awaiting test results. If their COVID 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 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, and (2) they have been 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and (3) their COVID symptoms have improved.

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

• Face Mask Protocol and State Mandate

  Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has issued a statewide face mask mandate. In following this mandate—and Purdue Fort Wayne policies—students, faculty, staff, and visitors must wear a face mask indoors on campus or when a distance of six feet cannot be maintained outdoors. Please read the complete policy outlined in the Student PPE Protocol and Mask Distribution plan, including information about a PPE Violation Form.   

  Learn more:

  • Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-37
  • CDC Mask Guidance
  • Progressive Discipline

  Contact the following Purdue Fort Wayne experts for specific information:

  • Melissa Helmsing at helmsinm@pfw.edu (employee relations) 
  • Amy Jagger at jaggera@pfw.edu (accommodations) 
  • Christine Marcuccilli at marcuccc@pfw.edu (concerns about discrimination or harassment)
• 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.