Covid-19 Related Policies and Procedures

CoVID-19 Information | Athletic Policies and Procedures Fall 2022
Ottawa University highly encourages fans to double check the KCAC website
and the opponent's website on the day of and prior to travel to games.

In continued support of OUKS Campus Community expectations, we encourage all student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff to be up to date vaccinated. All student-athletes should report illness or symptoms immediately and work to arrange to be tested. Staff with any covid-like symptoms are asked to report it to a healthcare provider and get tested as advised. Detailed employee guidelines have been sent out by the OUHR department.

MASKING

There is not a campus wide masking requirement currently. However, due to the proximity of care being provided by our sports medicine team to student athletes from all 32 athletic programs who may be in the same area for an extended period, we do highly encourage masking while in the athletic training room. Additionally, coaches have been advised to continue to use extra caution while traveling as it relates to masking and covid safety protocols. It is also expected that all student athletes and staff follow athletic department masking requirements otherwise outlined in this policy.

COVID-19 SURVEILLANCE TESTING

Currently suspended.

ATHLETES WITH COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

Student athletes who are experiencing symptoms that could be related to COVID-19 (i.e. sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, congestion, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills or fever, fatigue with muscle or body aches and/or headache), should isolate and test using a home test or come masked directly to the Student Health Office located on the first floor of Ward Science Hall for testing. If symptoms develop after hours, try to secure a home test, notify the head coach of your sport, and remain isolated until you can be tested.

TEAM MONITORING

As positive covid cases are confirmed through testing of symptomatic cases, student-athletes, and teams with a high level of covid activity and illness may be subject to restricted team activity, team quarantines, and/or possible team shutdowns. These administrative decisions will be determined based on the monitoring and assessment of Covid-19 activity within a particular team. In the unfortunate event that team covid positive cases and isolations are widespread and significantly impacting a roster or a specific position group, reschedules, and/or forfeits of games may be the result.
COVID POSITIVE TEST/ISOLATION
In accordance with CDC guidelines, any student athlete or athletic staff member who tests positive will be required to ISOLATE for FIVE full days and until 24 hours following symptoms have resolved.

Following FIVE days of isolation, an additional five days of masking with extra precautions in social settings is required.

COVID POSITIVE/RETURN TO ACTIVITY PROTOCOLS
Days 0-5 Isolate following instruction from the OU Student Life office. If asymptomatic or symptoms have resolved after Day 5, your isolation period is over.

Days 6-10 Stay masked, however student may return to in-person classes. Attending and observing practices and attending team meetings is allowed. A gradual Return to Activity protocol may begin under OU Sports Medicine staff guidance. STRICT MASKING IS REQUIRED!

Day 11 If the student athlete did not experience prolonged symptoms or hospitalization, the student-athlete may return to full athletic activity with the expectation that the student-athlete will report any lingering issues or symptoms immediately to the campus nurse and to the OU Sports Medicine staff.

NOTE: Any severe and unusual cases reported and identified, will be referred to a physician for additional evaluation and related testing to ensure return to activity is safe and the student athlete is medically released.

CLOSE CONTACTS, DIRECTLY EXPOSED AND QUARANTINE GUIDELINES
Student-athletes who have been directly exposed, are permitted to continue with athletic participation and activity but should closely monitor for any symptoms with heightened awareness and report concerns immediately. Close contacts are no longer required to quarantine if you remain symptom free. For safety and extra caution, student-athletes in this category are encouraged to wear a mask for ten days following exposure and while around others whenever not actively training/competing. Five days after exposure, individuals are advised to test as an added layer of precaution.

SPECTATORS

Home and visiting spectators are welcome to attend our indoor and outdoor sporting events on campus. We do strongly encourage fans to be current on vaccinations prior to attending an on-campus event. Please stay home and do not attend if you are not feeling well or have possibly been exposed recently to a covid positive individual. Please be advised that masking is no longer required, but optional on campus.

Please note that we will continue to monitor and re-evaluate our Covid-19 mitigation procedures throughout the 2022-23 academic year and communicate changes as they occur for the safety of all. We will continue to work closely with our health partners including AdventHealth, Ottawa Family Physicians and the Franklin County Health Department, and make changes to our policies as required or deemed necessary.
Updated August 2022