January 12, 2023

Tips to protect your health

As we prepare to resume in-person classes on Jan. 17, faculty, staff and students are advised to take precautions to protect their health and their community, including:

  • Get up to date on vaccinations against COVID-19 and influenza. Vaccines are easily available at health care clinics, pharmacies and other sites.
  • If you are not feeling well, stay home.
  • Wash your hands.
  • Avoid crowds or crowded areas, when possible.
  • Wear a mask, especially if you are in an indoor setting and if you are not feeling well.
  • Seek medical attention if you have symptoms that are moderate or severe. 

As is the current practice, if a student reports COVID, the dean of students will inform faculty members of the student’s need to miss classes, without stating the reason. The university will continue to place students who live in residence halls in isolation for five days if they test positive for COVID. Students who test positive for flu at the Student Health Center will receive a letter explaining the need for absence from class and work. 

As the university has since the start of the pandemic, it will continue to work with Jackson County public health officials and seek guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Updates will be posted to the Virus Information website. If you have questions, email pandemicinfo@siu.edu.