PROTECT PURDUE GUIDANCE FOR SPRING 2023 SEMESTER

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Purdue community has continued to demonstrate personal responsibility as outlined in the Protect Purdue Pledge. The Protect Purdue Pledge outlines how students, faculty and staff can continue to take responsibility for their own health, protect others and protect the campus community by helping stop the spread of COVID-19 and other infections. 

The Protect Purdue Medical Advisory Team will continue to encourage personal responsibility with the start of the 2023 Spring semester as we make the following updates to our COVID-19 procedures.

Starting Jan. 1, the following changes will take effect:

• The Purdue University Student Health Center will facilitate isolation and quarantine housing requests for students. Limited university isolation housing is reserved for students who live in University Residences and live beyond a four-hour drive to campus. For isolation or quarantine questions, PUSH should be contacted via email at PPHC@purdue.edu. A limited amount of housing space has been reserved during the 2022-23 academic year and will be allocated based primarily on distance and/or whether students can safely execute their personal isolation plan.

• PUSH will only provide COVID-19 testing to students who are exhibiting symptoms. Otherwise, at-home tests are encouraged. Students can schedule an appointment at PUSH by calling 765-494-1700 or through the online scheduling portal.

• The Office of the Dean of Students will no longer provide absence letters if a student tests positive for COVID-19. Students who test positive should still notify their instructors and work with them individually to complete missing work. 

• Academic case managers will no longer be assigned to students who test positive for COVID-19. For unavoidable class absences, Purdue’s Academic Regulations state “the student bears the responsibility of informing the instructor in a timely fashion” and “the instructor bears the responsibility of trying to accommodate the student either by excusing the student or allowing the student to make up work, when possible.”  Students who experience any type of extended health issue would benefit from engagement with the Academic Success Center.  

As a reminder, if you test positive using an at-home COVID-19 test, you should execute your personal isolation plan and stay away from others as much as possible. If you must be around others, wear a face mask. You can calculate your isolation period using the CDC calculator. If a student needs to schedule a test, contact PUSH at 765-494-1700. Faculty and staff can schedule a test through the Center for Healthy Living.  

The Protect Purdue Medical Advisory Team encourages anyone fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to submit proof of vaccination. While Purdue is not requiring the COVID-19 vaccine or the updated booster, it is strongly encouraged.

COVID-19 FAQ

Q:  What do I do if I am experiencing Covid-19 symptoms?

A:  

• If you are sick or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and do not attend class. If you are at class when symptoms begin, you should go home immediately.  
• Inform your instructor of your absence and contact PUSH at 765-494-1700 if you are symptomatic and need to schedule a test. 
• If you test positive using an at-home COVID-19 test, you should: Execute your personal isolation plan, stay away from others as much as possible, and if you must be around other people, wear a face mask.  You can calculate your isolation period using the CDC calculator.
• Information regarding quarantine and isolation resources can be found here.

 

Q:  Can I be seen at PUSH for COVID testing when I don't have symptoms?

A: PUSH will test students who are not experiencing symptoms only if the test is needed for university supported or sponsored travel. Please be aware that COVID-PCR results take between 48 – 72 hours to receive.

 

Q: Does PUSH provide the Covid-19 vaccine?

A:  Yes, PUSH does provide the Covid-19 vaccine. Appointments can be scheduled through the Patient Portal or by calling 765-494-1700.

 

Q:  What type of COVID testing does PUSH utilize?

A:  PUSH uses the Binax Now rapid antigen test.

 

Q:  Can PUSH order a COVID PCR test?

A: A COVID PCR test can be ordered in rare circumstances such as an international travel requirement. PUSH does not do PCR testing to confirm an at home test. The result typically returns 48-72 hours after the test is sent to the lab.

 

Q:  Does PUSH prescribe Paxlovid (ritonavir with nirmatrelvir)?

A:  Paxlovid is an experimental antiviral medication for COVID. For patients that meet CDC and Pfizer manufacturer criteria, a PUSH physician or NP may choose to prescribe Paxlovid based on the overall benefits versus risks in each individual patient. Criteria include patients that are both unvaccinated and are at high risk for progression to severe disease (such as immunocompromised). Paxlovid must be initiated within 5 days of symptom onset to be effective. Some patients will experience a rebound in symptoms 2 to 8 days after completing Paxlovid.

 

Q: What do I do if I have tested positive for Covid-19 using an at-home test?

A:  Students who test positive for Covid-19 using an at-home test may schedule an appointment with a PUSH provider if needed. Otherwise, you should stay at home and away from others.

  

Q:  Why does PUSH use a rapid antigen test rather than a PCR test?

A:  Rapid antigen tests are a better reflection of contagiousness and the presence of active virus, and the results are ready within 15 minutes. PCR tests are more sensitive, but do not show how contagious a patient is at the time of the test. PCR tests will typically stay positive for longer periods of time after onset of illness, and the results typically take 48-72 hours to return.