Health Risk & Need for Testing

The CDC assigns various levels of risk of exposure to coronavirus. Use this guidance to discern your likelihood of exposure:

• high: living in the same household as, being an intimate partner of, or providing care in a nonhealthcare setting (such as a home) for a person with symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection (without using recommended precautions) 
• medium: close contact with a person with symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19; on an aircraft, seated within 6 feet of a traveler with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19; living in the same household as, being an intimate partner of, or caring for a person in a nonhealthcare setting with symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection (while using recommended precautions)
• low: being in the same indoor environment (e.g., a classroom, hospital waiting room) as a symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time but not meeting the definition of close contact
  
  
  

  Read details on exposure risk and close contact from the CDC here.

Assess your health and risk factors. A useful tool is the CDC’s Self-Checker, which helps you realistically think through your likelihood of exposure and your health. You can find more information about CDC testing recommendations here.

Most people will only experience a mild illness and will be able to recover from home. Moreover, there is no specific treatment for the virus. That said, testing might help you make informed decisions about who you come into contact with.

If you do think you have been exposed and experience trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to rouse, or bluish lips or face, seek medical attention immediately.

You should first contact your healthcare provider by phone. Your physician can help you determine whether testing is necessary.

You can also contact the Rapides Parish Health Unit at 318-487-5282 for information.

For information on testing locations, visit the Louisiana Department of Health website, or click here.

Students in violation could possibly be charged with Failure to Comply under the Student Code of Conduct.

Every class will be equipped to support remote learning. If you are sick, do not come to campus. It is imperative that you stay home if you are sick. In the instances when you do not attend class in person, you must attend remotely. If you attend remotely, you will not be penalized. Your professor can see who has signed into the class's remote section via Zoom.