Flu and Covid Vaccines | Photo by Kelsie Tomlinson | The Wright State Guardian
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic took the lives of over 42,000 Ohioans, 373 of whom were residents of Greene County, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Schools, including Wright State University, were shut down for months. While we are not in the situation that we were in then, COVID-19 still requires attention and safe practices.
Nationwide statistics
According to the CDC, there has been a 14.3% increase in positive COVID-19 tests nationwide. This is followed by an increase of 13.1% in ER treatment, 3.2% in hospital admissions and a raised death rate of 4% overall nationwide.
Greene County
Laurie Fox is a Public Information Officer for the Greene County Public Health Department.
Fox explains that while there is a dramatic rise in COVID-19 levels, it is not nearly at pandemic status. There have been some hospitalizations in the past months, but Fox speculates that this is most likely due to factors that allow influenza and RSV to thrive this time of year.
“People are inside more. Germs spread more easily during these months. It’s more likely for people to catch things like the Flu. COVID-19 thrives in this environment too,” Fox said.
The newest variant of the COVID-19 virus is called JN.1. This current strand of the virus is special because the more that it grows, the more of a deterrent it is, and this causes the potential to be more severe. However, Fox assures the community that JN.1 is manageable by being careful and getting the newest version of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“There are ways to treat COVID before it happens. Practicing good hygiene will get you far, but we also recommend the current vaccine. The most updated version of the vaccine covers JN.1,” Fox said. “You can still catch other strands of the virus, and there is a chance it’ll mutate again because that's how viruses work, but as long as you are updated and vaccinated, there shouldn’t be a problem.”
What about WSU?
The virus is still harmful and can put people in life-threatening situations.
Students seem to be conscious of this fact when asked about it. Many are posing concerns about the virus but ultimately have faith in no second pandemic.
“I haven’t stopped following the guidelines for my safety,” Public Health graduate student Modesta Abacheng stated. “I do worry for others, though.”
Abacheng goes on to explain that her friends and family have been continuing to follow guidelines since the pandemic “ended.”
“That's the misconception, the pandemic never really ended. The world opened back up and people went back to normal life, but COVID-19 is still here. It can still kill. It worries me when I see sometimes very reckless behavior that others exhibit when it comes to Coronavirus,” Abacheng said.
Other students are hopeful and even poke slight fun at the behavior during the pandemic.
“I think as long as everyone is doing what they are supposed to and not buying up all of the toilet paper, we should be fine,” History major Sarah Deboer said.
Guidelines: Greene County and Wright State
According to the Wright State Coronavirus information page, the current recommendations for COVID-19 are to wear a mask, get all vaccines and boosters, practice good hygiene and get tested as soon as possible if you suspect you may have the virus.
While neither have hard and fast rules for before a positive test, Greene County and Wright State have very similar requirements if you get the virus.
If you test positive for COVID-19 at Wright State, you must go into isolation for five days. After those five days—if you have no remaining symptoms—you can return to class with a face mask for an additional five days. If you are in a dorm room or an apartment, you may also be subject to move to COVID-19-positive housing until you are better.
Students are recommended to fill out a self-report sheet so that they can communicate their absences and missed work with the school to find solutions.
These are similar to the guidelines put in place by the county.
According to Fox, GCPH recommends that anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 isolate for 10 days. Five of those days have to be completed in total isolation, as this is the most contagious time for the virus.
Afterward, people are able to continue with their lives while wearing a mask after they are either symptom-free or have no fever. Ibuprofen can help reduce a fever. Greene County also recommends that during isolation, you should stay somewhere that is properly ventilated to allow new airflow.
Stopping the spread
WSU students have access to one set of COVID tests each semester. Test kits are located in room 023 of the Student Union and in a vending machine on the bottom floor of the Student Union or under the Union Market near room 015. Each set comes with two tests, and students are encouraged to seek these out when feeling ill.
Check the WSU website here for other COVID-19 test locations.
If you need more tests or cannot find those, GCPH offers tests. A student is strongly recommended to call ahead and give them the number of tests needed in a household. The department can service anyone from any county while at WSU. GCPH is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
While GCPH no longer offers vaccines, these can be found at any doctor's office or any local pharmacy with a clinic. Additionally, GCPH recommends that students get Flu and RSV vaccinations this time of year to stop the spread of those diseases.
“COVID is still here, but if we take it seriously, there is no reason for us to be scared of it. We have the tools needed to fight the spread and treat Coronavirus,” Fox explained.
