Reporting

Walsh University is committed to protecting the health and safety of our entire campus community. Given the risk and potential impact to our learning community, students, faculty, and staff are required to report positive COVID-19 diagnoses to the Walsh University immediately upon notification. 

Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 Infection

If you have confirmed COVID-19 results, have been in close contact with a person who has tested, or have symptoms of COVID-19, please contact:

Students

COVID-19 Reporting Hotline:  (234) 380-7510 or COVID19response@walsh.edu

Please note, the COVID-19 hotline is for reporting purposes only.  If you have follow-up questions, please contact your assigned university case manager or for general questions, contact Bryan Badar, Vice-President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students – (330) 490-7417 | bbadar@walsh.edu.

Employees

Laurel Lusk, Vice-President for Business and Financial Affairs
(330) 244-4762 | llusk@walsh.edu

Non-Close Contact
If you have had non-close contact to a person who tests positive (outside of 6 feet, or within 6 feet for less than 15 minutes) or if you have had close contact to a person who has potentially been exposed:

  • Practice physical distancing, good hygiene, and self-monitor for symptoms.
  • Notify the designated university contact (as provided above) if there is a status change.

Guidelines for Students and Employees

Quarantine Guidelines

Walsh University continues to follow guidance from the CDC and Stark County Health Department as it relates to quarantine and isolation protocols.  

Quarantine Protocol

The term “quarantine,” as defined by the CDC, is used in reference to the separation and restriction of the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. Thus, in the case of COVID-19, quarantine will be required for those who have been in close contact (six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) two days before illness onset or, for asymptomatic individuals, two days prior to the date on which they received their test for COVID-19. 

If a campus community member is identified in this way, they will be directed to 1) return home to complete the quarantine or, 2) if they cannot return home seek approval from the Dean of Students to be assigned to a university residence or designated local hotel reserved specifically for quarantine cases.  Academic and Student Life support services staff will work to ensure meals are delivered to those students and support continued learning. Refunds for room and board will not be available for the 10-day isolation period due to residential costs that have already been incurred by the University. 

Do I need to quarantine if I have received the vaccination and been exposed to COVID?
Per guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control and Stark County Health Department, individuals having received their full dose of the COVID19 vaccination are not required to quarantine if all the following criteria are met:

  • they are asymptomatic
  • it has been 2 weeks since their complete dose of the vaccine 

Vaccination Verification

Any student or employee who has received the full dose of the vaccine but does not meet these criteria will need to quarantine.  Students and employees will be directed to quarantine until proof of full vaccination is received by the COVID-19 Community Health & Response Team.

Contact Tracing

Stark County Health Department

Upon notification of a positive or probable case, the University will report to the Stark County Health Department, who oversees contact investigation and notification for the county jurisdiction. Persons who have had close contact with those who have tested positive (or probable) will be notified by the Health Department or health department of jurisdiction in accordance with standard public health principles. If you are not notified, then you are not deemed to have increased risk because of exposure to those who have tested positive (or probable).

Walsh University

Members of our campus community who test positive for COVID-19 or receive a presumptive positive diagnosis will be added to the University’s contact tracing system. A designated member of Human Resources (for employee cases) or the COVID-19 Community Health Response Team (for student cases) will interview you to identify any close contacts and then follow-up to discuss any necessary next steps, such as symptom monitoring, potential testing or quarantine.

Contact Tracing/COVID-19 Community Health Response Questionnaire: CLICK HERE