Morningside University Health Alerts

Morningside has resumed normal operations

Morningside University will continue to take steps to ensure the health and safety of our campus community and beyond as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and as other health issues arise. Use the accordion below to learn more about important health and safety information.

COVID-19 Information for Morningside University

Masks

Masks may be required in some individual classrooms or offices, but the campus-wide mask requirement is no longer in place.

If you are asked to wear a mask in certain spaces on campus, please respect the request. Students are encouraged to carry a mask when possible in case such a request is made, and unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when closely interacting with others.

Additionally, all community members and visitors are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, respect the personal boundaries of others, and stay home when sick.

Illness

If you are symptomatic and/or feeling unwell, stay home and do not report to classes, practices, work or events, regardless of your vaccination status.

When to stay home, regardless of your vaccination status:

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and
- It is within five days of symptoms first appearing and/or five days after a positive test.
- It has been 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and/or
- Other symptoms of COVID-19 have improved.
When you are symptomatic.
When you are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.
When you are advised to do so by your medical provider.

Please note that following a positive COVID-19 test and the five-day isolation, it is recommended that you wear a mask for an additional five days to protect others.

Actions you should take if you are ill/symptomatic and need to stay home, regardless of vaccination status:

Contact your health care provider to seek medical treatment if needed.
Contact Judi Neswick in Student Health if you need to take a COVID-19 test and are not able to get one elsewhere.
Contact a Morningside representative if you are ill and/or if you receive a COVID-19 test so Morningside can monitor illness for the health and safety of the campus community.
While you are encouraged to provide a courtesy call to individuals with whom you have had contact if you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, it is important to know that employees do not need to quarantine following exposure to COVID-19 unless they are symptomatic and/or are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.

Exposure to COVID-19

Actions you should take if you have been exposed to or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status:

You will not be asked to quarantine unless you become symptomatic and/or choose to take a COVID-19 test.
If you have had contact with someone with COVID-19, you will be asked to monitor your symptoms and follow guidance if you develop symptoms and/or choose to take a COVID-19 test.
It is recommended you consider masking for up to 10 days following a known exposure.
It is recommended you be tested on day five following a known exposure.

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 tests are available for students in the Student Health Center.
Students and staff who are awaiting COVID-19 PCR test results are expected to quarantine. Results typically are available in 1-2 days.

Flu shots, COVID-19 vaccinations, and COVID-19 boosters

Contact Student Health regarding flu shots.
Drilling Pharmacy is located just a few blocks from campus and offers free vaccinations, boosters, and Test Iowa testing kits. Visit their website for details.

COVID-19 Operation Guidelines

Should Morningside move to a YELLOW, ORANGE, or RED operating level, additional details will be issued to students, faculty, staff, and the community.

GREEN: All normal operations have resumed with some exceptions for high-risk individuals. Vaccines are widely available and transmission rates are low.
YELLOW: Risk on-campus is considered low to moderate for all but high-risk individuals. Learning and working are primarily taking place in-person, with some guidelines in place to limit transmission of COVID-19.
ORANGE: Risk on-campus is considered moderate to elevated for all but high-risk individuals. Students and employees are present on campus but will utilize more options to learn and work remotely or to limit the transmission of the virus.
RED: Risk on-campus is high for everyone. Students and employees may be present on campus, and most or all students and employees will utilize remote learning and working options in all possible circumstances. The campus is following directives from state and national authorities

Additional Links

General COVID-19 Information

Morningside is open and operating using the protocols outlined on this page. We will continue to follow guidelines and recommendations from the State of Iowa and public health officials to adjust operations accordingly. Morningside may ask those who choose not to abide by the guidelines and protocols outlined on this page to leave the premises. If you have any questions, please use our contact form and we will respond to your inquiry.

CARES Act Information

CARES ACT - Quarterly Reports

CARES ACT Reports - Student Portion

CARES ACT Reports - Institutional Portion

Morningside Sample Student Letter

Monkeypox Information for Morningside University

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a virus in the same family as the variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Its symptoms are similar to smallpox, but monkeypox is less severe and rarely fatal. More information is available from the CDC.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

Signs or symptoms consistent with monkeypox can include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, muscles aches/backache, swollen nodes and a rash that may be painful or itchy. Within one to three days after the appearance of fever, a rash will develop, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash will eventually dry up and fall off. Symptoms typically last two to four weeks. It usually takes seven to 14 days from the time of infection for a person to start feeling symptoms of the disease, but the incubation period can also range from five to 21 days.

Who is at risk for monkeypox?

The CDC says that most people with monkeypox in the current global outbreak generally report having close, sustained physical contact with other people who have monkeypox. Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox can contract it and should therefore take steps to protect themselves.

How can the spread of monkeypox be prevented?

The CDC offers these prevention tips:

Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that
looks like monkeypox. not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or engage in sexual activity with someone who has monkeypox.
Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox
Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially
before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.
The CDC’s suggestions for safer sex and social gathering practices may be found here.

What should I do if I think I might have monkeypox?

Students who believe they might have monkeypox should isolate themselves, stay at their residence, and call Student Health at 712-274-5178 for evaluation and instruction.

Testing Information

Any student who is experiencing monkeypox symptoms or believes they may have been exposed to someone with monkeypox should quarantine in place and call Student Health at 712-274-5178. (Monday-Thursday 7:30-1:30 or Friday 7:30-11:30) or call Siouxland District Health, Monday-Friday from 8:00 – 4:30 at (712) 279-6119. After hours, please remain in your residence until you can connect with either St. Health or Siouxland District Health. A staff member will take their information and determine if testing is needed. Morningside’s protocol for monkeypox emphasizes the health and safety of affected students as well as the campus community. We will work closely with individual students who test positive to provide appropriate support.

Please note that as more information about monkeypox becomes available, Morningside University’s protocol is subject to change.

Questions about Morningside’s protocol for monkeypox may be directed to
studenthealth@morningside.edu

Where can I get tested for Monkeypox?

Locally, tests are performed Siouxland District Health, Monday-Friday from 8:00 – 4:30 at (712) 279- 6119 or https://www.siouxlanddistricthealth.org/disease-prevention/monkeypox-vaccine- eligibility

Positive Test Result

If the test is positive, the individual should isolate according to CDC guidelines at their permanent residence or at a location off-campus. The isolation period is determined by current CDC guidance and at present can last more than one month after the positive test result is received. Individuals who believe that extenuating circumstances may prevent them from returning to their permanent residence should contact Morningside Student Health.