By Heather Fabritze
News Co-Editor
As classes resume amidst the winter months, there has been yet another surge in illnesses among students at Washington College according to an email from Health and Counseling Services.
Sent in the evening of Friday, Jan. 26, the email recommends that the campus community increase its efforts to prevent the spread of infectious sickness. Washing hands, avoiding close contact with anyone, but especially those who feel unwell, and masking up if you are sick all featured on their list of recommendations.
Like Health Services, many professors also encourage their students to not attend class if they feel under the weather. Zoom alternatives are an option on some syllabi and there is an understanded sense of leniency amidst the surge in positive cases.
The office also directly recommends that faculty move their larger classes online.
According to the email, COVID-19, Influenza A, Strep Throat, and Adenovirus are the illnesses that they are specifically seeing a spike in.
As a reminder for students who may be unaware of current protocols, if one tests positive for COVID-19 they should immediately report it to Health Services. Staff of the College should notify their respective department leadership or HR.
Students may also seek certain resources to alleviate sickness — not only ones offered by the College, but others found throughout Chestertown.
WC’s on-campus Health Services provides care and advice to the community throughout the week, but ailments are not confined to business hours. For students in need of quick medical care that does not require a full emergency room visit, Eastern Shore Urgent Care is also an easy alternative.
The clinic is an on-demand care location for urgent, non-life-threatening issues, according to their website. It supplies a quick solution to any potential concerns about less serious ailments. Their practice can be found at 7416 Church Hill Road in Chestertown.
Elm Archive Photo
Photo Caption: While Kirby Stadium no longer offers free COVID-19 testing services, take-home tests are available upon request at Health and Counseling Services.