By Rachel Sell\/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood College reported 32 cases of COVID-19 since students returned to campus on Aug. 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The numbers include graduate, residential, and commuter students. According to Director of Wellness Amanda Dymek, this is a decrease in on-campus cases compared to the last couple of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re at a point where we\u2019re less in the pandemic state, and it\u2019s becoming more of an endemic disease,\u201d Dymek said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, the availability and affordability of COVID-19 vaccines ensures that communities have more access to protection against the virus, she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Dymek, COVID-19 can be handled like other illnesses such as the flu, with annual vaccinations and testing only once symptoms are present. \u201cWe\u2019re moving with COVID, and that\u2019s a good thing,\u201d Dymek said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood and many other institutions have adjusted their isolation policies this year. With Memorial Hall being closed, there is less space on campus that the college can provide for those who test positive to quarantine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Dymek, most of the students who\u2019ve tested positive have gone home, and only one case has isolated in place. She said that students should come to campus with a plan but that sometimes there are situations that don\u2019t permit a student traveling home, such as distance or the severity of their illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year, surveillance testing was conducted only for unvaccinated students. According to Dymek, the testing of that population identified very few cases. Now, students can rely on at-home tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe want students to have the power to test themselves when they feel it\u2019s appropriate, by their own standards,\u201d Dymek said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
COVID-19 tests are available for students at the Hood College Office of Wellness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CDC and FDA recently released and approved an updated COVID-19 booster, the booster includes protection for the newest variant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dymek stated that students who received their last booster five to six months ago are now eligible for the latest booster. While it is not required, she noted, it is a good practice for extra protection given the variants that are currently circulating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m hoping to schedule an updated COVID clinic in October so that folks have a convenient option for the booster,\u201d Dymek said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, a second flu vaccine clinic will be held in Whitaker Campus Center on Oct. 25, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dymek mentioned that throughout October, the Office of Wellness will also host events focused on mindfulness, as well as mental health screenings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs we think about wanting to get a physical checkup\u2026 we always want to get checkups for mental health as well,\u201d she said. The mental health screenings will begin next week and can be scheduled through the client portal via the Hood College Counseling Services webpage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As fall and winter approach, illnesses become more common, especially in shared areas such classrooms and campus spaces. Dymek said that, though it sounds simple, one of the best ways to mitigate illness is to wash your hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTouching and going, and then sitting down to eat\u2026 can cause illness for ourselves,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dymek also said that drinking water and getting plenty of sleep are crucial for our immune systems. \u201cThat\u2019s a really hard thing to do for college students, to prioritize sleep,\u201d she said. \u201cBut get as much as you can\u2026 so your body can function, and if you are exposed, your body can fight it off.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"