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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

“The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our responsibility and our highest priority. As an institution of higher learning, we also must preserve our academic environment, the intellectual advancement of our students, and safely provide all that the TCU experience promises”  – Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. 

Wellness Education is committed to empowering students to engage in wellness. This includes all aspects of wellness, which includes their physical health and wellness, but also the other dimensions of wellness.  For more information about how TCU is planning to keep our community healthy and engaged, please visit the connected campus guide.

 

What is COVID-19? 

There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold.

Why is it named COVID-19?

On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus”, or “2019-nCoV”.

How does COVID-19 spread?

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

SARS-CoV-2 is generally transmitted person-to-person mainly through respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. And while viral transmission can occur from contaminated surfaces, the majority of transmissions are tied to close contact with an infected person. Maintaining 6 or more feet from others and taking precautions not to expose your mouth or nose to the virus significantly reduces the chance of infection. The CDC defines exposure to the COVID-19 infected person as closer than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes.

Why should I wear a Face Mask?

  • CDC recommends that people wear face coverings in public settings and when around people who don’t live in their household, especially when other physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
  • Cloth face coverings may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.
  • Cloth face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.

What are the symptoms? 

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

*** If you are having any of these symptoms, please contact the TCU COVID-19 Self Reporting Hotline: 817-257-2684 (COVI). For more information visit https://www.tcu.edu/coronavirus/

When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

When calling 911, notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19

 

Material adapted from CDC.gov/coronarvirus

 

For more information about COVID-19 please visit https://www.tcu.edu/coronavirus/

TCU COVID-19 Self Reporting Hotline: 817-257-2684 (COVI)