UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

COVID-19 Information

Updated June 16, 2020, at 9:15 a.m. Please check back frequently for the most current information.

  • View updates from Residence Life here

  • UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout to welcome students back to campus in the fall. Read full release here

  • Click here for the latest UW-River Falls emergency financial aid grants to students report.

  • No camps or clinics will be held on campus prior to August 1.

  • Suspension of university travel has been extended through Dec. 31, 2020.

  • All classes have moved to alternative instruction for spring semester 2020 and summer 2020.

  • Resources for learning, teaching and working remotely can be found under Remote Support.

  • Several emergency policies have been approved to allow students more flexibility in the way they manage their course load responsibilities.

Please check our FAQs and Campus Updates for current information about coursework, campus operations, etc. If you have questions specific to campus that are related to COVID-19, email covid19@uwrf.edu.

A message for our Falcon family

 

Health and Safety Tips

For more COVID-19 health and safety information, please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.

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.

In light of new evidence, the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. However, it is critical to emphasize that maintaining six-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams shares a way to create your own face covering in a few easy steps at https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4. The CDC recommendation regarding the use of cloth face coverings can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html 

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 can learn about what services they have access to at the Vibrant Health Family Clinic in River Falls. Student Health Services is offering remote telephone and in-person appointments through our agreement with Vibrant Health Family Clinic in River Falls, and students can call 715-425-6701 to schedule an appointment.

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, including that generally asymptomatic persons and persons with mild symptoms are not tested. Testing may not always be available at all health care facilities depending on testing criteria and availability.

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.