Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources

• People with COVID-19 usually have mild to severe symptoms which can include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, or diarrhea. It can take 2-14 days for an individual to exhibit symptoms after being exposed.
• Our procedures and priorities if someone tests positive for COVID-19 on campus are: (1) promoting the safety and well-being of the identified patient, (2) following up with anyone with whom they have come into contact, and (3) recommending self-isolation following the guidelines listed below (usually 10-14 days) to reduce the potential for additional spread. Per their management protocols, the Rixey will also alert building residents if one of their tenants has tested positive. Because the Rixey houses tenants including but not limited to MU students, our processes mirror those of other residential buildings. For students on the main campus, similar measures will be taken with notification about a positive COVID-19 case posted in the residence hall. Non-resident students of the Rixey and main campus housing should not be visiting those buildings.
• Per Clery Act COVID-19 guidelines, MU cannot require any member of our community to disclose medical information. MU is committed to providing our community with information as it impacts community health and safety, while also safeguarding the privacy of community members.
• Relevant on-campus entities, such as the residential facility and tenants, will be contacted about a positive case in their building.

• Contact your health care provider to coordinate care. Let them know you are experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (or if you have tested positive) and if you have any other medical problems. Since there is a limited supply of tests and many false negatives, not everyone needs to be tested for the virus.
• Refer to the VDH recommendations for “What to do if you have a confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19)?”  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus/what-to-do-if-you-have-confirmed-or-suspected-coronavirus-disease-covid-19/
• Do not go to work, school, or out in public places until cleared by a health care provider.
• Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and remain isolated from others. Over-the-counter cold and flu medication might help alleviate some of the symptoms. Follow all usage and warning information on medication labels. 
• Self-isolate for at least three full days after you no longer have a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND other symptoms are greatly improved AND at least seven days have passed since symptoms first started.

• Students, please contact Student Health Services: shealthc@marymount.edu
• Faculty/staff contact for Human Resources (HR): benefits@marymount.edu. *Please contact benefits@marymount.edu even if you have not been on campus in the past 14 days. HR would want to share eligibility information for leave options.*
• If you are a contractor or temporary worker, please contact your supervisor and/or Marymount Sponsor.

Marymount University Contact Tracing Protocol

Rev 6/23/20

General Testing Guidelines

Contact tracing is an integral part of mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, all students, faculty staff, and contractors working on campus must report a positive COVID-19 test or if you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to Student Health Services (SHS). This information is kept confidential with the exception of a single point of contact at SHS (mucovid19@marymount.edu), Human Resources (ppolson@marymount.edu) for staff and faculty, and Student Living and Engagement for residential students. The privacy of the individual is of utmost importance.

SHS is conducting contact tracing for individuals who have been on campus and come into close contact with a presumed/or confirmed positive case. SHS also shares with the community that an individual has been diagnosed, but provides no further details in accordance with HIPPA. Close contact is identified, per CDC recommendations, as 1) being within 6 feet of an individual with COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes; (e.g. while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a health care waiting area or room with an individual with COVID-19), note: MU is defining this even more narrowly as 10-minute contact, or 2) having direct contact with infectious secretions of an individual with COVID-19 (e.g. being coughed on). All individuals meeting criteria for COVID-19 must comply with reporting their symptoms and test results to SHS so mitigation of the spread can occur as fast as possible.

When someone on campus tests positive, an email is sent out to those currently living, learning, or working on campus to inform the community of a positive case. No personal information about the presumed/confirmed positive individual is disclosed to the public.

Tracing and Testing Policies and Procedures — Marymount Community

1. Testing is available to students, staff, and faculty who meet criteria after an initial telehealth appointment with SHS. Employees are typically not seen at SHS, but contact tracing and testing are exceptions. SHS does not treat employee illnesses or injuries, and it is not a primary care facility for anyone. Employees receive symptom and post-testing instructions and appropriate recommendations for follow-up care with the employee’s personal physician.

2. SHS collects exposure data for tracing and, if necessary, order appropriate COVID-19 testing. By the start of the school year, testing (PCR or Serology) will be available to students, staff, and faculty. Note that SHS will not conduct any testing for employees as a blanket screening method.

3. All test results, whether positive or negative, will be reported to the tested individual who can then request that the results be shared with the personal physician. Positive test results are reported to the Arlington County Public Health Department.

4. Contractors and campus visitors who are symptomatic, have received a positive COVID-19 test, or who have been exposed to someone testing positive to COVID-19 or is presumed to be positive should contact SHS for a telehealth appointment for the purpose of contact tracing. These individuals are not eligible for testing or any other services from SHS but it is important to identify people on campus who interacted with the contractor or campus visitor to slow any possible spread.

5. We share each positive test result, regardless of who ordered the test and where the testing occurred, with the Marymount community to comply with the law, but the individual’s name and personal health information is not disclosed. ​

SHS will provide contact tracing for any student, faculty, or staff that test positive regardless of their county of residence or location of testing.  All staff members of the SHS have taken a course offered by Coursera and John Hopkins on contact tracing.  At this point in time we are planning on manual tracing, but programs are being developed to assist with tracing, Carl and I are in frequent communication.  I will be the point of contact for the tracing as well as the case manager as we initiate the return to campus plan.  We do rely on the individual’s recollection of individuals that they may have been in contact, if there is any question about contact, ACPHD will be consulted.

We are working with Human Resources to establish an email for individuals to report positive tests, if they are not tested through SHS.  Contact tracing will be performed per CDC guidelines, and individuals that have been in close contact (<6ft for >10 minutes, with or without a mask), will be instructed to self-quarantine. Only Individuals affiliated with the University will be notified if they are considered a close contact.  Residential students, that are considered close contacts, will be relocated to the designated quarantine areas set aside by the Office of Student Living. Otherwise instructions will be given on how to self-quarantine.  Daily check-ins by SHS will occur with all close contacts in order to monitor if symptoms are developing.  If the individual does develop symptoms testing will be ordered.  SHS does have a plan in place if more bodies are needed to do contact tracing, but at this time I am hoping that plan will not need to be activated.

Arlington County Public Health Department will be performing the epidemiological surveillance with information provided by me about the situation on campus.  If the university needs to close that decision will be made by the Cabinet after the recommendation from ACPHD, again I am hoping that we do not get to that point.

Our goal is to be transparent to the Marymount community when we learn of a positive COVID-19 case, but at the same time we don’t want to cause panic.
It is important to remember, the best way to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 is to wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick.  It is a requirement to wear a mask when on Marymount campus (therefore reducing the risk of transmission).

If you know of a staff/faculty member that has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (whether by test or clinical diagnosis, please encourage them to contact the COVID-19 case manager at mucovid19@marymount.edu.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have further questions.

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before. It was initially transmitted from animals to humans, and is now spreading through human-to-human transmission. It was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in late December 2019, and it has caused an outbreak of pneumonia illnesses.

Since then, cases of COVID-19 have been identified globally, including in the United States.  The number of cases continues to grow daily. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic.

COVID-19 is a public health concern because:

• It is newly identified, and there is not a lot known about it.
• There are two other human coronaviruses (SARS-CoV and MERS-Cov) which have caused severe illnesses in the past few years.

The CDC considers this virus a new public health concern based on the current available information.

Currently in the U.S., the immediate health risk to those who have not been exposed is considered low. However, COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the risk assessment may change.

It is important to monitor the CDC website to learn of any updates on the change in risk status.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and may be flu-like:

• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• GI disturbances
• Sore throat

The CDC and U.S. State Department have issued travel guidance to countries related to COVID-19. It is important to check the CDC website (www.CDC.gov) regularly to monitor for changes.

If you are traveling as part of a Marymount University-sponsored trip, please be sure to sign up on the International Travel Registration website. (Marymount-travel.terradotta.com)

If you have traveled outside of the U.S., you may undergo a screening for COVID-19 when you return. This is occurring at larger airports at this time.

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent this virus. Therefore, the CDC recommends avoiding exposure to the virus.

Here are some ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid contact with sick people and notify SHS for evaluation and guidance if you have had contact with an individual that has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Avoid non-essential travel.
• The Commonwealth of Virginia requires wearing a mask when inside a building if social distancing (6 feet apart) cannot be practiced.

If you are a student and you have a fever and flu-like symptoms, it is important that you notify Student Health Services. Please make an appointment for evaluation so we can provide you with the appropriate protective equipment as you come into the clinic.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• CDC’s List of Travel Health Notices
• World Health Organization
• Virginia Department of Health
• Arlington County Public Health Department
• NAFSA (Association of International Educators)

• Updated Dining Services Schedule
• Modified Shuttle Service Hours
• The Rose Benté Lee Center is now open
• The libraries are now open ONLY to Marymount University patrons, with Marymount ID access.  Many services are also being provided virtually.  MU patrons may request materials owned by Marymount and some WRLC libraries for contactless pickup.  Please visit the library’s website for hours and information about connecting with library services and resources

Communications with details and information about housing and parking policies

• March 20 – Spring 2020 Housing and Dining Credits
• March 20 – Spring 2020 Parking Credits
• April 1 – Rixey Housing Update

Yes. While we encourage students to stay home if possible during this temporary period, our residence halls and dining services are open.

In light of our recent request for Marymount students to leave main campus housing if possible, we have been working on a plan to appropriately address questions about credits or refunds for housing and dining. Our pivot to online learning for the remainder of the semester also means that many students will no longer need their MU Student Parking Permit.

To communicate more information related to these plans, the Division of Financial Affairs sent email announcements to affected students with more details. For more detailed information, you can read those communications here:

• March 20 – Spring 2020 Housing and Dining Credits
• March 20 – Spring 2020 Parking Credits
• April 1 – Rixey Housing Update

On March 27, the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) was passed into law. CARES is aimed at providing stimulus to the economy through relief to individuals and businesses, forbearance to those who had taken federal student loans and provides incentives to encourage philanthropic giving in 2020.

Learn More

Under the CARES Act, emergency funds are available to students who are currently enrolled in a degree program and who must be a U.S citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen. In addition, graduating students are not eligible for these emergency funds. Eligible students must have a completed FAFSA to obtain aid.

Eligible students who have completed a FAFSA for the 2019-2020 academic year do not need to take any action to receive their CARES Act emergency funds.

However, eligible students who have not submitted a FAFSA should do so by Wednesday, May 20 in order to be considered for CARES Act emergency funds.  To complete the 2019-2020 FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov

Eligible students should verify that their address on file at Marymount is up-to-date and accurate.

The CARES Act emergency funds are available to students who are currently enrolled in a degree program and who must be a U.S citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen.  Unfortunately, international students, DACA students, non-documented immigrants, and graduating seniors are not eligible under the CARES Act.  However, Marymount has established separate funding opportunities for students not eligible under the CARES Act but who have been impacted by COVID-19.  Marymount is working to assist those who fall into this ineligibility category.  More details will be forthcoming, but at this time, there is no action that is required on your part if you are ineligible under the CARES Act.

Due to the receipt of the CARES Act emergency funds, the Emergency Tuition Assistance has been discontinued.   If you submitted an application for Emergency Tuition Assistance, your circumstances have been taken into consideration when dispensing the CARES Act emergency funds.   If eligible, you can receive emergency funding under the CARES Act as explained below.

If you previously submitted an Emergency Tuition Assistance application,

• If you are eligible under the CARES Act and you completed a FAFSA for the 2019-2020 academic year, you do not need to take any action to receive their CARES Act emergency funds
• If you are eligible under the CARES Act and you have not submitted a FAFSA, you should do so by Wednesday, May 20 in order to be considered for CARES Act funds.
• If you are not eligible under the CARES Act; Marymount is working to assist those who fall into this ineligibility category.  More details will be forthcoming, but at this time, there is no action that is required on your part.

Eligible students should verify that their address on file at Marymount is up-to-date and accurate.

Please note as indicated above, by accepting these funds, students agree to use them toward expenses related to the disruption of Marymount campus operations due to coronavirus (e.g. food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

Marymount University is the recipient of $1,037,469 of federal funds through U.S. Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) for student relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relieve, and Economic Security Act (CARES). These federal funds provide direct assistance for students in the form of emergency relief funds for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis. The relief funds can be used for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

On April 10, 2020, Marymount University signed the Certification and Agreement Form for this award uploaded it to the grants. gov. portal on April 11, 2020.     Marymount intents to use 100% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency relief to the eligible students.

Based upon the current eligibility requirements under the CARES Act, Marymount estimates that there are approximately 2,322 students eligible for assistance.  The emergency relief funds have been distributed to the eligible students via direct check payment method.      

Marymount will utilize the needs-level approach to provide relief funding to all eligible students as recently defined by the CARES Act.  All students were notified on May 8, 2020 via email (click here) about the eligibility requirements, purpose of the aid, and other pertinent information concerning these funds.  

As of Wednesday, September 30, 2020, Marymount University (MU) has disbursed $758,550.00 of the $1,037,469 awarded by the Department of Education CARES Act HEERF to 1,637 eligible students that leaves a balance of $278,919.00 for future disbursements.  MU used the needs – based approach method to determine the funding amount to all eligible students as recently defined by the CARES Act.  The table below shows the amount each eligible student received according to their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information on-file.

March 9 update: Arlington county has confirmed that they have Marymount’s list of faculty, staff and adjuncts. The county has stated that they are keeping the employer-based lists locally because it helps ensure the appropriate individuals are the ones being contacted. The county then merges and cross-checks names with what the state has sent them. If a person pre-registered with the state they probably will not see their names in the state system. As a reminder the state system is just for pre-registration and scheduling appointments still come at the local level.

All states rely on the federal government to distribute vaccine doses. Based on our population, Virginia is currently receiving approximately 105,000 new doses per week (as of 1/26/2021) toward our goal of vaccinating 8.5 million Virginians plus out-of-state residents who serve as essential workers in Virginia. The pace of incoming doses is not expected to increase until March.

Virginia’s primary distribution of doses is allocated by the VDH to Local Health Districts, in proportion to each district’s population. Local Health Districts are expected to determine the most equitable and efficient use of each allocation,leveraging any combination of their own staff and volunteers, hospitals, pharmacies, and individual providers. Additional doses reach some residents of Virginia through separate federal allocations for employees of the U.S. Department of Defense and certain other agencies.

As of January 26, 2021, all Local Health Districts moved into Phase 1b. This means that approximately 50% of Virginia’s population is now eligible, including frontline essential workers, people aged 65 years and older, people with high-risk medical conditions identified by the CDC, and people living in correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and migrant labor campus. Other than the healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities in Phase 1a, the Virginia Phase 1b are at the highest risk of exposure to COVID-19 or serious illness if infected. Institutions of Higher Education are included in Phase 1c in Virginia.

Virginia is not likely to meet the demand for Phase 1b until March or April. As of today (1/26/2021) officials from ADPH indicate that it may be weeks or longer before vaccination appointments become available for 1b eligible individuals. The majority of Marymount faculty and staff will be eligible during 1c, though some employees with medical licenses and alternative routes to vaccination have already been vaccinated.

Marymount employees should submit vaccination information through Workday by completing a safety incident report and uploading any supporting documentation. Detailed instructions can be found on the Workday dashboard and the HR Office portal site.

March 9 update: Student employees at Marymount are eligible to receive the vaccine in the same phase as Marymount faculty, staff, and adjuncts. The names of all Marymount student employees will be submitted to Arlington county.

Arlington County convened a “Complete Vaccination Committee” with a goal to provide vaccine education and build local confidence to encourage Arlingtonians to get vaccinated. Marymount was invited to participate, and students from the Malek School of Nursing are currently vaccinating community members in partnership with Virginia Hospital Center and Arlington County Public Health Division.

Marymount has applied to serve as a Virginia Point of Distribution (POD) and is waiting to hear if our assistance is needed in the vaccination efforts. If Marymount is asked to operate a POD, it is unclear if the POD will be open to the public or if it will be exclusively for Marymount community members.

A small team of faculty and staff have been working on Marymount’s plans since late November 2020. This group includes a diverse cross-section of campus stakeholders and regularly provides updates and information to the President’s Cabinet and the Return to Campus Task Force.