Infectious Disease Resources
Grand Canyon University has successfully navigated the challenges of COVID-19 over the past two years, providing innovative approaches that have kept the health and safety of students, faculty and staff top of mind while also providing a robust campus experience.
For the 2022-23 academic year, there will again be no restrictions in academic settings and campus events. The University will continue to maintain appropriate health and safety protocols, including voluntary vaccine and testing policies, robust contact tracing efforts and mitigation policies for not only COVID-19 but also other public health concerns that could potentially present a health risk to the GCU community.
GCU’s Emergency Response and Recovery Plan includes an Infectious Disease Annex outlining the roles and responsibilities to rapidly identify and stop the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, monkeypox and influenza. The University’s quarantine and isolation team (QIT) is responsible for conducting contact tracing and providing alternative rooms to support students who require isolation.
GCU’s Health and Wellness Clinic promotes a healthy community by providing students, faculty and staff with top-quality health care services. Students experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle/body aches or a rash are encouraged to make an appointment with a board-certified nurse practitioner at the Health and Wellness Clinic. The clinic coordinates medical services with Emergency Preparedness, Public Safety, EHS, Athletics and Phoenix Fire Department.
As a reminder, please continue to practice healthy habits to decrease the spread of infection on campus. Wash your hands frequently, don’t share personal items, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and keep a distance from others and stay home when sick.
COVID-19
Following public health guidance, students who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for 5 days. The CDC and local public health authorities no longer recommend quarantine after exposure to a positive COVID individual.
Will GCU require vaccinations?
GCU will continue to encourage students, faculty and staff to get a COVID-19 vaccination and will assist those who want to receive the vaccine during the 2022-23 academic year. However, vaccines are not required to attend GCU.
In certain programs such as nursing, teacher education, counseling, etc. in which clinicals or field experience are required for licensure, students are subject to the health and safety requirements of the healthcare organizations or school districts that serve as clinical or field experience sites. GCU has been notified by many healthcare organizations and school districts that they will require the COVID-19 vaccine for all employees as well as others who will be working in their facilities beginning with the fall 2021 semester. GCU continues to monitor these requirements and will communicate that information to students as it becomes available. Some of these organizations may allow exemptions to students who meet the criteria established by the healthcare organization or school district. More detailed information regarding health and safety requirements in those settings is being communicated directly to students in each of those programs.
What if I test positive for COVID-19?
Faculty, staff and students off-campus who test positive for COVID-19 must contact the QIT Hotline at 602-639-7300 or email [email protected].
Students testing on campus will need to complete a survey by scanning a QR Code at the GCU testing site. The student information will be forwarded to Emergency Preparedness Quarantine and Isolation Team (QIT) and other departments such as Student Disability Services (SDS). If you have questions, please email QIT.
Can I use a COVID-19 at-home test?
Students who test positive with an at-home quick test must also verify that result with a COVID-19 test from a provider testing site. GCU’s on-campus testing site is available for all students until 6 p.m. seven days a week. Please submit your confirmation COVID-19 test results to SDS at [email protected] after speaking to the hotline team member. SDS’ Absence Verification Process requires a clinic or laboratory-verified COVID test and medical diagnosis to approve class absences.
Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a viral disease that is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact. More information may be found on the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and the CDC websites.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
Those infected with the monkeypox virus typically develop a pustular rash. The rash can be located in several areas across the body and typically resolves within four weeks. Before the rash appears, individuals may develop symptoms within 7–14 days. Monkeypox virus symptoms include:
• Body aches
• Chills
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
Where can I be tested for monkeypox?
Currently, testing for the monkeypox virus is only available through a health care provider. For students, the Health and Wellness Clinic offers testing for the monkeypox virus. GCU employees should contact their primary health care provider if they have symptoms, including any unexplained rash, and inform them of your symptoms. If you do not have a healthcare provider, you can find one at FindHelpPhx.org or call (602) 506-6767 for assistance.
What if I am at risk or have a known exposure?
If you have interacted with a known person with monkeypox or are concerned you have been exposed, please contact your health care provider. Students, please contact GCU’s Health and Wellness Clinic to speak with a medical provider. Faculty, staff and students off-campus who are notified of exposure or a positive test must contact the QIT Hotline at 602-639-7300 or email [email protected].
What can I do to protect myself from monkeypox?
Please visit the CDC for prevention and protection guidance
How does the monkeypox virus spread?
Close, personal and skin-to-skin contact can spread the monkeypox virus. It can also be transmitted through sexual contact or bodily fluids and by sharing or touching objects an infected individual has used. Practicing good hand hygiene helps to prevent the spread of the monkeypox virus and other infections.
What is my risk of contracting the monkeypox virus?
Routine activities in classrooms, conference rooms and offices are considered low risk. Higher-risk locations include athletic facilities, gyms, health care settings and areas where individuals are in close contact with potentially infected persons for extended periods. In general, practicing good hand hygiene is adequate. If you believe you are at high risk of contracting the monkeypox virus at work, please email Health and Wellness Clinic.
What if I test positive for monkeypox?
Faculty, staff and students off-campus who are notified of exposure or a positive test must contact the QIT Hotline at 602-639-7300 or email [email protected]. Individuals who test positive may need to isolate for between 2 to 4 weeks. Medical providers may prescribe specific anti-viral medications. Faculty and staff will be excluded from campus until cleared by a medical professional or Maricopa County Public Health. Students will be able to isolate themselves off-campus or in alternative residence hall suites. For more information about the risks of isolating at home, please visit CDC website.