Wellness at Penn is encouraging students to get vaccinated and take additional precautions as the University experiences a spike in influenza-like illness and COVID-19.
In a statement from Wellness at Penn to The Daily Pennsylvanian, Executive Director of Public Health and Wellbeing Ashlee Halbritter wrote that Penn had “seen over 150 cases of influenza-like illness and over 30 cases of COVID.” The timing of this flu spike is surprising, but not alarming, and the timing of this COVID spike is expected, Halbritter added.
“The COVID cases were expected given the elevated levels of COVID the city was seeing, though our COVID cases remain lower than this time last year,” Halbritter wrote. “Over the past week, we have observed a shift from illnesses impacting undergraduate students to now circulating more heavily in the graduate student population.”
“Most importantly, students should make a plan to get a flu shot,” Halbritter wrote. “Even students who just had the flu should plan to get a flu shot.”
The annual campus Flu Clinic is scheduled to take place from Oct. 15-17 in the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center. Students can receive “quick and easy” vaccinations for no cost, according to Halbritter.
“All Penn students, faculty, postdocs, and staff are welcome to drop in for their free flu shot, and must bring their Penn card,” Wellness at Penn wrote on their website.
Practicing good, hygienic habits is also important for maintaining health, according to Halbritter.
“Students can also help protect each other by staying home when feeling unwell,” Halbritter wrote. “Even if it’s just a cold, your body is signaling a need for rest. Students can and should also use good hygiene practices like handwashing and masking.”
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The DP previously reported on an email sent to College House system residents, which offered advice to students on how to combat potential circulating illnesses.
“If you’re not feeling well, mask up in shared spaces, cover your coughs, and use good hand hygiene,” Wellness at Penn wrote in the email.
Wellness at Penn also offered advice for students who currently have the flu or COVID-19, including staying home when feeling unwell.
You should stay home until “your symptoms are getting better overall” and “you have been fever-free (temperature of 100.4℉ or 38℃) for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen,” Halbritter wrote.
Even after recovery from illness, Wellness at Penn recommends taking “added precautions for 5 days.”
“Even if you are feeling better, you may still be able to get others sick,” Halbritter said.
Students can also seek support through other treatment options.
According to Halbritter, “Antiviral medication can be prescribed by a medical provider for individuals who are at high risk for getting very sick from the flu and COVID-19 and who have mild to moderate symptoms.”
“In addition to seeking medical care from Student Health and Counseling, COVID tests were distributed to all College Houses and are available in the Wellness Express Vending Machine in the Arch,” she added.
