COVID-19
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Our ability to move forward during this pandemic will require each of us, without exception — faculty, staff and students — to comply with all COVID-related health and safety rules as articulated by the Emergency Response Team.
Vaccination Requirement
This past summer, UB announced a comprehensive plan to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus. Our plan, which is comparable to most schools in our area and is aligned with the Executive Order announced by the White House last week, requires the UB community be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 1, 2021.
The deadline for submitting proof of vaccination applies to everyone on our campus—employees, students and contractors.
Weekly Testing
Random Testing - A random sampling of all commuter students, employees, service providers, other University community members and residential students will be included in weekly COVID-19 testing. Testing is one tool to identify the person-to-person spread of the virus and guide the implementation of control measures throughout the semester.
Testing will resume in Fall 2021.
What to Do If You Become Ill
If you experience fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, stay home and contact a healthcare provider for guidance—do not go to a healthcare facility before you have called your doctor or a hospital emergency room for instructions.
We encourage students who are concerned that they may have had close contact with an ill person who is experiencing flu-like symptoms to call UB Student Health Services at (203) 576-4712, or come into the Health Sciences Center to see someone in Student Health Services from 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. When Health Services is closed, students should contact AMR through Campus Security at 203-576-4913. Faculty and staff should consult with their primary care physician for advice and guidance.
Department |
Phone |
|
|---|---|---|
| Academic Advising Center | (203) 576-2346 option 1 | advising@bridgeport.edu |
| Accessibility Services | (203) 576-4454 | accessibilityservices@bridgeport.edu |
| Admissions | (203) 576-4552 | admit@bridgeport.edu |
| Counseling Services | (203) 576-4454 | counselingservices@bridgeport.edu |
| Health Services | (203) 576-4712 | healthservices@bridgeport.edu |
| IT Helpdesk | (203) 576-3300 | helpdesk@bridgeport.edu |
| Residential Life | (203) 576-4228 | reslife@bridgeport.edu |
| Security (Emergency) | (203) 576-4911 | security123@bridgeport.edu |
| Security (Non-Emergency) | (203) 576-4913 | security123@bridgeport.edu |
| Student Affairs | (203) 576-4392 | deanofstudents@bridgeport.edu |
| Tutoring & Learning Center | (203) 576-2346 option 3 | TLC@bridgeport.edu |
| UB Online | (203) 576-2366 | ubonline@bridgeport.edu |
About COVID-19
The risk of COVID-19 infection is dependent on exposure, but details about the virus are still emerging. The most important route of transmission is likely close contact (six feet or less) with sick patients who spread respiratory droplets when they cough or sneeze. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. It may be possible for someone to be infected by touching an object or surface contaminated by COVID-19 virus and then touching their own mouth, nose, or potentially their eyes. The risk of spread from asymptomatic people and from touching surfaces is much lower than droplet spread from sick patients. The reported incubation period (time from exposure to the onset of symptoms) ranges from two to 14 days.
Severity of COVID-19 infection ranges from mild to severe. Fever of >100.4° F (>38° C), cough, and shortness of breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms overlap with those of influenza and other respiratory infections. Therefore, the CDC has published guidelines to identify patients at risk of COVID-19 and determine when testing is necessary.
COVID-19 is spreading worldwide. CDC recommends you avoid all nonessential international travel. If you must travel, follow the recommendations in the Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice, in addition to any travel health recommendations provided on the webpage for your destination and in relevant notices on the CDC website. See the Travel Advisory for Visitors to Connecticut for more information.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick in your home, and keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don't live in your household.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Everyone should wear a cloth face cover in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.
- Monitor your health daily. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
- If you need medical attention, call your provider before going to a healthcare facility.
Visit the CDC website to learn how to protect yourself and others.
Leaders and staff across the university are working in teams to update UB’s existing pandemic and disease response plans to be consistent with what is known about the nature of the COVID-19 virus and its spread. We are planning for a range of possible scenarios in the near term as well as longer-term impacts on core university programs and functions. Our planning priorities are: (1) the health and safety of the University of Bridgeport students, staff, faculty and patients; and (2) the continuity of the University’s core mission. Working groups are planning for contingencies in many areas.
The University of Bridgeport is committed to maintaining an environment of respect and freedom from discrimination and to supporting all members of our community affected by this global health threat. Bias, discrimination, and harassment are contrary to our values and violate UB policies. For more information, please go to www.bridgeport.edu/about/policies. To read a statement from the U.S. Department of Education, please go to www.bridgeport.edu/about/policies.
