COVID-19 Information

Preventive wellness efforts are the best way to avoid COVID-19. These include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Stay home, leaving only when needed for food, medication, or to seek medical care.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, or use the inside of your elbow, then throw the tissue in the trash and immediately wash your hands.

• Practice social distancing: stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people, do not gather in groups, stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.

• Wear a cloth face covering in public settings where it is difficult to maintain 6 feet distancing (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission (wash face coverings at least daily).

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray or wipe that kills viruses such as influenza and coronavirus.

Face coverings shall be required in all indoor public spaces, including classrooms, and strongly encouraged outside when physical distancing is not possible.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals unable to wear a face covering. Requests for reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. It is the responsibility of the individual requesting the accommodation to contact the appropriate office below to obtain an approved reasonable accommodation.
 
• Employees requesting a reasonable accommodation, should contact Human Resources and complete the Reasonable Accommodation request form located here.
• Students requesting a reasonable accommodation due to disability, should contact Ability Services and may find more information here.
• Students requesting a reasonable accommodation for a reason other than a disability, should contact the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Excellence & Student Success.
 
Students with an approved reasonable accommodation will receive an approved accommodation form from the Ability Services Office and must present that upon request to a university official or instructor. Return to Campus-COVID 19 Policy, Page 3 A student or employee who has been granted a reasonable accommodation by the university is not required to explain to others the underlying basis for the accommodation.

If you are symptomatic, you should call ahead to a medical facility or emergency room before presenting for care. Employees who wish to seek medical attention should contact their own clinic or health care provider.    

Current UWRF students who believe they have COVID symptoms may contact Vibrant Health Family Clinic at 715-425-6701 to schedule a virtual appointment to talk to a health care provider about COVID testing. Student Health Services is now offering virtual appointments through our agreement (link to https://www.uwrf.edu/StudentHealthAndCounseling/StudentHealthServices/RFMC.cfm) with Vibrant Health Family Clinic in River Falls.

COVID-19 testing criteria and availability continues to change, and it is up to the health care provider whether persons are tested, based on current recommendations.

See this resource for COVID-19 testing providers in Pierce and St. Croix counties.

Answers to questions related to COVID-19 or influenza can be found at CDC.gov. Clarifying questions can be directed to UWRF Student Health and Counseling at 715-425-3293.

It is not unexpected that the COVID-19 situation is creating concern and anxiety among many people. Please know that there are services and resources available. Students can call UW-River Falls Counseling Services at 715-425-3884 or check the Counseling Services webpage regarding services and other online information and resources. Counseling Services is offering remote telecounseling therapy appointments, just as we had in-person, so students can email (counseling.services@uwrf.edu) or call 715-425-3884 to schedule an appointment. For employees, see the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Human Resources.