COVID-19 Information
The University of Northern Colorado follows COVID-19 guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Updated Recommendations: On March 1, 2024, the CDC transitioned away from providing specific COVID-19 guidance to a more general Respiratory Virus Guidance. The new guidance addresses the risk and prevention of several common respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV. Core prevention steps and strategies include:
- Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
- Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
- Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.
UNC faculty, staff and students should following the guidelines and recommendations listed below.
if you have symptoms
If you are experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness (fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose and headache) consider the following additional precautions:
- Stay home if you are ill: For individuals with symptoms and/or a fever, stay away from others until it has been 24 hours since symptoms are getting better, and you no longer have a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
- Consider wearing a mask, particularly if you live or work around people who have risk factors for severe illness: When worn by a person with an infection, masks reduce the spread of the virus to others. Masks can also protect wearers from breathing in germs.
- Consider getting tested so you can decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness.
While UNC no longer offers free COVID test kits or KN95 masks, both are still widely available via various pharmacies and other retailers. Additionally, UNC’s Student Health Center can administer both rapid and PCR tests for COVID, strep and influenza (applicable visit copays apply).
if you need assistance/accommodation
For individuals who require assistance or accommodations due to an illness:
- Employees should work with their supervisors and Human Resources or consult UNC's Work-related Accommodations.
- Students should work with their instructors.
- Students seeking accommodation can contact the Disability Resource Center.
- Students seeking additional support are encouraged to submit a Referral for Student Support form online.
Treatment
UNC’s Student Health Center (SHC) remains a Test to Treat facility, meaning patients can be tested, get a prescription for treatment (if they meet certain eligibility requirements) and have their prescription filled in one place. The SHC offers Paxlovid antiviral therapy through this program. Individuals wishing to take advantage of this service will need to call the SHC before arriving at 970-351-2412. Be sure to bring your insurance card to your appointment, as you will be billed for an office visit. If you have COVID symptoms, masks are still required when visiting the SHC.
Individuals can also reach out to their regular medical provider to explore treatment options.
About COVID-19 treatments:
- It's important to seek treatment quickly to lower the risk of serious illness.
- COVID-19 medications work best when they are taken within a few days of when symptoms first appear.
- Consultation with a healthcare provider is especially important if you are someone who is at higher risk for severe disease from COVID.
More information is available on the CDC's COVID-19 Treatments and Medication webpage.
