Infected on-campus students given option to be relocated
Healthy-student isolation set for Lawson Hall
Sarah Jean Bresnahan/Campus Editor
Issue date: 10/2/09 Section: News
The Centers for Disease Control suggests anyone with flu-like symptoms to isolate themselves to keep H1N1 from spreading.
Some students who live on campus have gone home to better isolate themselves. However, not all students can, and Housing and Dining Services and Health Service are teaming up to help those students who cannot go home.
Mark Hudson, director of Housing and Dining, said a protocol for these situations has been set up.
"If the person who is ill is in a double as a single, then they can stay there, and we have a system worked out where they can have a buddy that brings them food," Hudson said.
An ill student who lives in the residence halls and has a roommate also has an option available.
Hudson said the healthy student is given the option to live with a friend for a few days while his roommate is sick.
The second floor of Lawson Hall has been designated for healthy students with sick roommates.
Lawson's second floor is normally for conference guests and visiting lecturers.
These arrangements are made after the sick student calls Health Service. Health Service will then contact Housing and Dining to decide the best scenario.
"So far, there have not been many students who have needed alternate housing arrangements," said Lynette Drake, director of Health Service. "Some students are currently living in an arrangement where self-isolation is easier, without needing to move."
Drake said these practices are also at other campuses to help manage the spread of H1N1.
"We will continue to work closely with Housing until there is no longer a need for alternate housing arrangements," Drake said.
Eastern has experienced 73 probable cases since classes started in August, according to Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs.
"Some of these students have experienced a full recovery by this point in time," he said.
The cases are labeled probable because the university immediately begins treatment for all students experiencing flu-like symptoms, Nadler said.
"Not all students are tested for H1N1 because results often arrive after individuals have recovered," he said.
The university is operating under the directives of the Centers for Disease Control in close cooperation with the Coles County Department of Public Health and the State of Illinois Department of Public Health.
By the numbers
Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, reports the number of campus H1N1 cases.
73 - Number of cases since classes have started in August
Sarah Jean Bresnahan can be reached at 581-7942 or at dencampusdesk@gmail.com.
Some students who live on campus have gone home to better isolate themselves. However, not all students can, and Housing and Dining Services and Health Service are teaming up to help those students who cannot go home.
Mark Hudson, director of Housing and Dining, said a protocol for these situations has been set up.
"If the person who is ill is in a double as a single, then they can stay there, and we have a system worked out where they can have a buddy that brings them food," Hudson said.
An ill student who lives in the residence halls and has a roommate also has an option available.
Hudson said the healthy student is given the option to live with a friend for a few days while his roommate is sick.
The second floor of Lawson Hall has been designated for healthy students with sick roommates.
Lawson's second floor is normally for conference guests and visiting lecturers.
These arrangements are made after the sick student calls Health Service. Health Service will then contact Housing and Dining to decide the best scenario.
"So far, there have not been many students who have needed alternate housing arrangements," said Lynette Drake, director of Health Service. "Some students are currently living in an arrangement where self-isolation is easier, without needing to move."
Drake said these practices are also at other campuses to help manage the spread of H1N1.
"We will continue to work closely with Housing until there is no longer a need for alternate housing arrangements," Drake said.
Eastern has experienced 73 probable cases since classes started in August, according to Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs.
"Some of these students have experienced a full recovery by this point in time," he said.
The cases are labeled probable because the university immediately begins treatment for all students experiencing flu-like symptoms, Nadler said.
"Not all students are tested for H1N1 because results often arrive after individuals have recovered," he said.
The university is operating under the directives of the Centers for Disease Control in close cooperation with the Coles County Department of Public Health and the State of Illinois Department of Public Health.
By the numbers
Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, reports the number of campus H1N1 cases.
73 - Number of cases since classes have started in August
Sarah Jean Bresnahan can be reached at 581-7942 or at dencampusdesk@gmail.com.
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