Category: Messages to the Community

Title: Public Health Alert: COVID-19 Screening Forms and Updated Preventive Guidance

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,

With the increase in testing across the nation, we have learned about new members of our community who have tested positive for COVID-19. As a reminder, any member of the Georgetown community who tests positive – regardless of your current geographic location – should inform the university via the Main and Law Center Campus COVID-19 Screening Form or the Medical Campus COVID-19 Screening FormEven if you are receiving medical assistance and contact tracing from your local health agency, informing the university will allow us to lend support and appropriately notify our community of possible risks of exposure.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. You should NOT use N-95 face masks meant for health care workers; however, it is easy to make your own face coverings at home.

In addition to wearing cloth face coverings in public settings, the CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

  • Practice social distancing to stop or slow down the spread of COVID-19. This is the single most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of this illness.
  • Clean your hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. You can find additional health informationanswers to frequently asked questions and other university resources on the Georgetown Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center.

If you would like to receive a daily update listing all new COVID-19 communications sent by Georgetown, subscribe to our daily digest. Should you have additional questions, please contact our university call center at 202-784-3510, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sincerely,

Vince WinklerPrins, MD, FAAFP

Chief Public Health Officer