This week's essential COVID-19 information from BGSU Chief Health Officer Ben Batey

We continue to monitor daily COVID-19 cases and trends as we work to slow the spread of COVID-19. Throughout the last week, we have seen an increase in cases on a daily average basis as outlined in the dashboard in this email and on our Forward Falcons website. We communicate daily with the Wood County Hospital in tracking hospitalization trends and there have been no reported hospitalizations for any BGSU faculty, staff or students.

When an individual in our campus community tests positive, they self-isolate and work with contact tracers who alert their close contacts to quarantine for 14 days. It is important to keep a small network of individuals in your social circle. Having multiple small groups can lead to large quarantines. If a public health or health care professional identifies an individual to quarantine or isolate, they need to do so for the appropriate period of time and should not participate in any campus activity.

Wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance and keeping a small social network are effective tools in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to conduct daily self-wellness checks before coming to campus. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and call the Falcon Health Center or a health care provider.

Thank you for all you are doing to keep our campuses as safe and healthy as possible.

Be well,

Ben Batey, MPH, RN
Chief Health Officer

Isolation and Quarantine Protocols

Know what to do if you test positive or have been exposed to COVID-19 by learning more about BGSU's self-isolation and quarantine protocols.

Surveillance Testing and Contact Tracing

BGSU has implemented randomized surveillance testing for undergraduate and graduate students on the main campus. The program focuses on testing students who do not have COVID-19 symptoms (asymptomatic). Students randomly selected each week will be notified via their University email and/or text message.

BGSU Counseling Center Resources

During the pandemic, the BGSU Counseling Center is offering their services via telehealth at 419-372-2081. The Counseling Center has put together COVID-19 counseling resources to keep you up to date on COVID-19 and various ways to cope/offer support during this time.

BGSU COVID-19 Response Hotline 419-372-3000

The BGSU COVID-19 Response Hotline is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Staff can answer questions regarding COVID-19 and related topics. Students, faculty and staff can email health@bgsu.edu or call the hotline if they have a pending COVID-19 test, or to report a positive result to begin contact tracing. To call the hotline, reach out at 419-372-3000.

Download the #CampusClear app

Before arriving on campus, leaving your residence hall or visiting campus, complete a daily personal health and wellness check.

BGSU has launched the #CampusClear app, which can be downloaded for free and used for daily health screenings.

BGSU COVID-19 DASHBOARD

Positive Cases of COVID-19 Reported to BGSU

Includes positive COVID-19 cases reported to BGSU from health departments, medical providers, asymptomatic testing and self-report. Includes two (2) positive student reported at Firelands College. Not all cases are residing in Bowling Green or Wood County.

On-Campus Isolation and Quarantine

Isolation separates individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 from others who are not sick to minimize the spread. Quarantine separates individuals who have been exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19 from the general public. All residence hall students are offered on-campus quarantine and isolation space. Students may choose to return home to a permanent residence.

Surveillance Testing (9/14/20 - 9/18/20)

Randomized surveillance testing of asymptomatic undergraduate and graduate students.

Cumulative Asymptomatic Testing (8/20/20 to 9/21/20)

Randomized surveillance testing of students and targeted testing of asymptomatic individuals.