If you show any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 you should self-quarantine and seek medical assistance if necessary. 

This is a useful COVID-19 symptom checklist for your reference.

COVID-19 Self-Monitoring Checklist
If you answer “yes” to any of the below questions, you need to stay home and call your local health provider. 

• Do you have a fever (temperature over 100.4 F) without having taken any fever reducing medications.
• Before you take your temperature:
  • Wait 30 minutes after eating, drinking, or exercising. 
  • Wait at least 6 hours after taking medicines that can lower your temperature, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin.
• Do you have a loss of smell or taste?
• Do you have a cough?
• Do you have muscle aches?
• Do you have a sore throat?
• Do you have shortness of breath?
• Do you have chills?
• Do you have a headache?
• Have you experienced any gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite?

If you are identified as a “close contact” you will be contacted by a representative of the North Dakota Department of Health.  They will tell you if you need to quarantine for 14 days. 

It is also possible that the college will recommend quarantine because one or more of your suitemates has tested positive for COVID-19.  During your quarantine period you should self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and contact a health care provider if necessary. 

Additional information for persons identified as a close contact.

If you have not been identified as a “close contact” and you have not been directed to quarantine, you do not have to self-isolate.  You can go about your business and attend classes, however, you should self-monitor for any COVID-19 related symptoms and continue to practice social distancing and wear a facemask. 

Additional information about exposure but not close contact.
 

Based on the best scientific advice currently available this guidance is for people without symptoms of illness and who are not healthcare workers.

PERSON A [If this is you]:
Close contacts are typically identified and given guidance by the North Dakota Department of Health, which includes instructions to quarantine for 14 days from last exposure to the positive case. If you, as a close contact, are tested for COVID and have a negative test during your quarantine period, you still need to remain quarantined until formally released by the ND Department of Health.
 
PERSONS B & C [If this is you]:
Okay to go to work.  Practice social distancing wear a mask in public when social distancing is difficult and follow good hand washing hygiene. If you develop fever or symptoms, stay home. Call ahead before seeking care from your primary healthcare provider.
 
Close contact means being within 6 ft. for a prolonged period (15 minutes), or any household contacts.
 
If you have a connection that is more distant than the options described, you do not need to do anything more than social distancing and practice good hygiene, which is recommended for everyone. People connected to you do not need to do anything different from everyone else unless they themselves have risks due to some other exposure.
 
If you have had a positive COVID-19 test (nasal or oral swab), have completed your isolation period, and have been released from isolation from the ND Department of Health, you may return to normal daily activities. Once you have tested positive, you DO NOT need to have further COVID-19 testing (unless required by your employer)
 
Adapted from Harvard University Health Sciences, 03/16/20
And https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policesafety/docs/COVID_Do_I_Need_to_Self_Isolate.pdf
 

If you are under a quarantine order from the North Dakota Department of Health or WSC, you need to complete your assigned quarantine, even if you receive a negative COVID-19 test result while you are in quarantine.
 

First and foremost, you should always work directly with your instructors if you need accommodations or if you cannot attend class for any reason. If you need assistance with this, reach out to your advisor.

For arranging accommodations you can contact
LeeAnn Clark
Accessibility and Retention Specialist
leeann.clark@willistonstate.edu
701.774.4224

 

Anytime you have COVID-19 symptoms and your health care provider suggests a test, you should do so. 

For testing to be accurate, you should be tested around 7 days after exposure, so getting a test too soon after possible exposure could lead to a false negative or false positive test.  Even though it is hard to wait when you are worrying about possible exposure, a little wait time is a good thing when it comes to testing.
 
The North Dakota Department of Health sponsors weekly static community testing events that offer free COVID-19 testing.  Williston State College will host these testing events each Monday in September from 4:00 – 6:00.
 

Any decisions relating to changes in general campus and academic operations will be primarily data driven and based on the following considerations:

• COVID-19 testing data from the region and Williams County
• Contagion rates within the campus community
• Housing capability, especially quarantine/isolation units available
• Input from faculty, staff, and student leadership
• Advice from local and state officials

Decision makers will receive and review information and recommendations from the WSC Executive Cabinet, Faculty and Staff leadership, North Dakota Department of Health, Upper Missouri Heath Unit, North Dakota University System, Aladdin Food Service, WSC Foundation, and the State Board of Higher Education. 
 
Any change in operations would be communicated to faculty, staff, and students as soon as possible prior to implementation.  The threat and response matrix is a useful tool in understanding actions steps that are available to WSC.
 

8.20.2020 | WSC School Start Information
As we approach the long-awaited return to school on August 24^th, Dr. Miller has some general information and reminders you will find helpful.

8.06 | WSC Preparation for the August 24 School Start
In support of and following recommendations for North Dakota’s “smart restart” return to general operations, WSC wants to remind all faculty, staff, and students of the upcoming COVID-19 testing events scheduled to be held in Williston throughout the month of August:

7.29.2020 | Smart Restart COVID Testing for College Students and Community Members
As part of the Smart Restart plan for colleges and universities, the Upper Missouri District Health Unit (UMDHU) is sponsoring free COVID-19 "drive thru" testing events scheduled throughout the month of August in Williston:

7.24.2020 | WSC Opening Day - August 24th
The following is an update from Williston State College president, Dr. John Miller, on WSC's response to the coronavirus (COVID-19):WSC will require face coverings in all classrooms, common areas, gatherings, and office spaces, except where social distancing (separation of 6 feet or more) is possible.

5.18.2020 | WSC to reopen after Memorial Day
In support of and following recommendations for North Dakota's "smart restart" return to general operations, WSC staff members will return to campus for work beginning Tuesday, May 26th. Students and visitors are encouraged to contact WSC and TrainND Northwest by phone or email to set up campus and training appointments.

5.4.2020 | Restricted access continues at WSC, plans to reopen begin
In support of and following recommendations for North Dakota's "smart restart" return to general operations, WSC will continue to restrict access to its buildings and facilities but will begin a phased return of support staff to campus over the next two to three weeks.

4.2.2020 | Restricted access continues at WSC
In support of and following social distancing recommendations to help slow the spread of COVID-19, WSC will continue to restrict access to its buildings and facilities through Friday, May 1, 2020. Existing guidelines allow WSC employees to continue their work remotely from home, while employees considered "operationally essential" and contractors will continue working on campus. TrainND-Northwest personnel are delivering the bulk of their safety training to trainees via distance learning.

3.26.2020 | WSC and COVID-19
The WSC Bookstore will reopen on Monday, April 6 but by appointment only. The bookstore has made arrangements with its cap and gown vendor, Balfour, to coordinate returns, refunds, and order cancellations. WSC's workforce training campus, TrainND Northwest, now has online course options available for the ONE BASIN-One Way! program, H2S, and the XTO High Risk Orientation. WSC, along with its North Dakota University System partners and the State Board of Higher Education, is still working on a refund policy for room and board. More information will be published as a plan is approved for each campus. 

3.24.2020 | WSC cancels Commencement activities
Due to the continuing need to practice personal and social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, Williston State College is canceling all commencement and honors activities scheduled for the week of May 11-15. In the coming weeks, faculty and staff will be working on a virtual recognition program to honor graduates. WSC, along with its North Dakota University System partners and the State Board of Higher Education, is also currently working on a refund policy for room and board. More information will be published as a plan is approved for each campus.

3.21.2020 | WSC to transition online for remainder of Spring 2020
Effective immediately, WSC courses will be delivered online for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. Classes will resume online as scheduled on Monday, March 23 and continue in an online format for the remainder of the semester. If there are exceptions, faculty will communicate these with students, keeping the safety of all our number one priority. Additional details related to the completion of the Spring 2020 semester continue to be developed and will be communicated in the coming days. WSC housing will be in contact with all residents with information related to housing and dining, the retrieval of items, and the move-out process.

3.20.2020 | WSC and COVID-19 update
From Monday, March 23 through April 3, no face-to-face academic courses or scheduled training at TrainND Northwest will be conducted on the WSC and TrainND Northwest campuses. During this time, only employees considered "operationally essential" will report to campus for work. All other employees will work remotely off-campus. This applies to both the WSC and TrainND Northwest campuses.

3.19.2020 | TrainND Northwest and COVID-19
At this time and until otherwise notified, TrainND Northwest will continue with ALL trainings as scheduled including well control training provided by Vorenkamp Well Control Training. Class sizes will be limited to 10 people and our instructors have been asked to help facilitate a 6-foot space bubble with students in class. TrainND Northwest is committed to the safety of our community

3.18.2020 | WSC and COVID-19 update
WSC will remain open but effective Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, April 3, only employees considered "operationally essential" will report in person. All other staff will work remotely off campus. Classes will still resume in an online environment for 2 weeks (March 23-April 3). As always, WSC is committed to the safety of our community.

3.12.2020 | WSC and COVID-19
In response to COVID-19, WSC will shift most face-to-face on-campus classes to remote instruction for 2 weeks (March 23 - April 3) following spring break. At this time, WSC will remain open and all other campus facilities will continue to operate. WSC is committed to the safety of our community.

The NDDoH and our local public health unit encourage all persons to take preventative measures to avoid COVID-19, colds, and the flu:

• Avoid contact with sick people
• Clean your hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol
• If you are sick, stay home
• Contact your local healthcare provider or call 701.572.7651 (CHI St. Alexius Williston clinic) to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider or 701.774.7400 (CHI St. Alexius Williston hospital)
• Visit the CDC website for more info on about COVID-19.

On Saturday, March 28, North Dakota's State Health Officer, Mylynn Tufte, signed a confinement order for all ND residents returning from international locations and U.S. states with widespread disease, as classified by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The order included all WSC students, faculty, and staff.

On May 8, State Health Officer, Mylynn Tufte, issued two amendments to that order which allow people to travel freely within the U.S. and releases requirements previously included in the first order for everyone except international travelers.

It is recommended that individuals who are in quarantine after traveling recently in the United States still fulfill their 14-day quarantine, but it is no longer required.

If you have traveled recently

• Avoid contact with sick people
• Clean your hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol
• Pay attention to your health for 14 days after your return and take this survey from the NDDoH
• Stay home and seek medical advice if you get sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing
• Contact your local healthcare provider or call 701.572.7651 (CHI St. Alexius Williston clinic) to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider or 701.774.7400 (CHI St. Alexius Williston hospital)
• Avoid travelling if you are sick
• Follow the latest travel updates from the CDC

Looking to exploit the public's fears, cybercriminals are using tactics such as fake texts, Coronavirus-related Android/Apple mobile apps with ransomware, and phishing emails claiming to be from legitimate organizations with information about COVID-19.

How to avoid falling for phishing scams:

• Pay close attention to who is sending you the email. Phishing emails can come from fake Centers for Disease Control and Prevention representatives @"cdc-gov.org" rather than the correct "cdc.gov."
• Keep in mind that legitimate email addresses don't guarantee safety. They can be spoofed or can come from an account that has been hacked, so pay close attention to what the email is asking you to do. An email that asks you to provide banking information, account password, or social security number is a red flag - you should never be asked to provide those via email.
• Make sure you know where a link is taking you to before you click it - by hovering your cursor over a link for a few seconds until the link's URL pops up - and that the link leads to a site that you are expecting.

 

• The Flu versus COVID-19 | How to Tell the Difference
• Everyday Tips for COVID-19 Prevention
• Upper Missouri District Health Unit website and Facebook page
• CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Medical Center website and Facebook page
• North Dakota Department of Health Facebook page, website, and hotline available daily 7am-10pm | 1.866.207.2880
• Center for Disease Control website

• Dr. Bernell Hirning, President | 701.774.4231 or bernell.hirning@willistonstate.edu
• Kenley Nebeker, Executive Director, TrainND NW | 701.713.3780 or kenley.nebeker@willistonstate.edu
• [VACANT], VP for Academic Affairs | 701.774.4500
• Megan Kasner, VP for Student Affairs| 701.774.4295 or megan.kasner@willistonstate.edu
• Sandi Lillehaugen, Interim HR Director | 701.774.4204 or sandra.lillehaugen@lrsc.edu
• WSC Housing | 701.774.4585 or wsc.housing@willistonstate.edu