COVID-19 is a corona-type virus spread through close contact with an infected person. The University of Tulsa is committed to helping our community prevent contracting and spreading the coronavirus. This information is provided to help you stay well and know what to do if you feel ill. It is based on information from the Tulsa Health Department, Oklahoma Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What to do to prevent illness
- Avoid contact with others (especially those who are ill).
- Maintain 6-feet distance between you and others.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Don’t shake hands or give hugs.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds frequently, especially before eating. Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
- Do NOT touch your face.
What to do if you don’t feel well
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVlD-19). The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:
- Fever ≥ 100.4
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
If you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, please call:
- TU health officials for medical advice and information on next steps.
- Students may call Alexander Health Center at 918-631-2241. If after hours or on the weekend, please leave a message; we will call you back.
- Employees may call Hurricane Health Clinic at 918-631-2974. If after hours or on the weekend, please leave a message; we will call you back.
- Tulsa Health Department at 918-595-4399. You will need to leave a message and wait for a call back.
Get care immediately if you feel worse or you think it is an emergency. Call your primary care provider or one of the following:
-
- John Emergency Department (918-744-2366)
- Hillcrest Emergency Department (918-579-6137)
- OSU Medical Center Emergency Room (918-599-1000)
- Tulsa Health Department epidemiologist (918-595-4399)
Follow up with the Alexander Health Clinic (students) or the Hurricane Health Clinic (faculty and staff) after your visit.
o Tell them if you were tested for coronavirus and/or any other diseases and what the outcomes and recommendations were.
If you have traveled in the past 14 days or if you have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus, notify your healthcare providers.
- Tell the provider where you traveled to and through and include dates of travel.
- Tell the provider who you’ve had contact with and whether that person has been ill/tested.
- Tell the Alexander Health Clinic (students) or the Hurricane Health Clinic (faculty and staff) when you call your provider.
Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis.
- If you feel you need emergency care, call 911.
- You also may call Campus Security at 918-631-5555 and an officer can be dispatched to offer emergency assistance.
Stay home, and do NOT go to school or work: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Do not leave home except to get medical care. Avoid public areas.
Stay in touch with campus healthcare providers (Alexander for students and Hurricane for employees).
- Call before you attempt to get medical care. Do NOT walk in to any healthcare site (doctor’s office, urgent care, clinic or hospital) unless it is an emergency.
- Tulsa Health Department will be notified.
Separate yourself from other people; this is known as home isolation.
- Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific “sick room” with the door closed and avoid other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom.
- Do not share eating utensils or drink after anyone.
- Limit contact with pets and animals just like you would people.
◦ Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people with the virus limit contact with animals until more is known.
◦ When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick with COVID-19. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with them.
NOTE: If you visit an emergency room or your primary care provider or are released from the hospital, please call the TU health officials to provide a status update and receive instructions for next steps. Do this prior to returning to campus.
- Arrangements might need to be made for where you should stay. You may need isolation or arrangements might need to be made for roommates.
- If you are diagnosed with coronavirus, your roommate or household contacts will need to quarantine and monitor their symptoms and temperature for 14 days (Alexander Health Center will monitor students).
What to do if you are exposed to the coronavirus:
Self-quarantine and call Alexander Health Center (students) or Hurricane Health Clinic (employees) for further instructions and medical advice.
Watch for symptoms. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms such as cough or difficulty breathing, call TU health officials, your primary care provider or Tulsa Health Department for medical advice.
Important phone numbers:
Alexander Health Center, 918-631-2241
- The facility is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. If it is after hours and symptoms are mild, leave a message, self-isolate and wait for a return call.
Hurricane Health Clinic, 918-631-2974
- The facility is answering calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. If it is after hours and symptoms are mild, leave a message, self-isolate and wait for a return call.
Tulsa County Health Department, 918-595-4399
- You will need to leave a message; they will call you back, but it may not be immediately.
Coronavirus Hotline, 877-215-8336