FAQs on symptoms, self-isolating and testing

If you have symptoms of covid-19, you should not come to campus until you feel well, and you do not have a high temperature.

Check for the latest symptoms here. 

Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) in adults can include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted

•  an aching body
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick or being sick

The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.

If you have symptoms you cannot get tested except in specific circumstances, such as you are very ill and going into hospital, or you are more at risk of covid.

If you test positive you should try to stay at home and away from others for five days, starting from the day after you did the test. You should avoid contact with people at higher risk from covid-19 for 10 days. See the government advice page here: What to do if you test positive or have symptoms guidance

 

 

Note that even if you have symptoms, testing is not freely available, and so you may not be able to confirm whether or not it is covid. As with any illness, you are expected to stay away from others until you feel well and you do not have a high temperature.

 

If you live with someone with covid-19, or who has symptoms of covid-19 but cannot get tested, follow previous advice.

Try to avoid being on campus if you can, particularly in close contact with others.

Avoid close contact with the person with covid (or symptoms)

 

Limit contact with people who you do not live with, particularly indoors or in crowded spaces, wash your hands regularly and wear a face covering when in contact with others.

It is worth being aware that it can take up to 10 days after contact for the virus to develop. For this time you should avoid contact with people who are more at risk of covid. 

The NHS test and trace system is no longer operational.

If you live on campus, let us know on coronavirus@marjon.ac.uk. This will ensure that we can keep cleaners or tradespeople safe, and enable us to check in on you. 

This NHS page has guidance around looking after yourself at home: How to look after yourself at home if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) or symptoms of COVID-19 - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

We encourage you to keep in touch with us, contact your RSA or studentsupport@marjon.ac.uk if you feeling ill, and to use NHS 111 if you need to.

If you are at high risk from covid we particularly encourage you to let us know on coronavirus@marjon.ac.uk so we can keep in touch. 

 

 

We will maintain all possible measures to keep us safer. These are:

Do not come to campus if you have symptoms or test positive: this is critical to keep those who are at higher risk of covid safe, and to maintain services.  

Wearing face coverings: particularly in crowded areas, if you live with someone with covid or with symptoms, or if you have tested positive recently (for example if you tested positive 5-10 days ago but are now negative/ symptom free).

 

Fresh air: continue to flush rooms through, keep windows open, or meet outside to reduce risk

Maintaining space: if you can, please maintain other people’s personal space.

Encouraging vaccinations: we encourage all members of our community to get vaccinated to reduce the risks of covid to you and to others.

Testing is no longer free, except for certain groups, such as those who are vulnerable or work in the NHS in patient-facing roles. Find out who can still get free covid tests.

Students working in NHS facing roles on placements should get tested as part of their placement requirements.

You no longer have to test twice a week when coming to campus. You may wish to buy tests, or you may have some left from when they were available, so some people may still be testing.

Students:

1. Let your tutors know if you will be missing classes. Please do not go to class if you have tested positive or have symptoms as this could easily have an impact on others.
2. In addition, if you live on campus only, please email coronavirus@marjon.ac.uk to let them know. This is to ensure we keep our members of staff safe such as cleaners and contractors.

Please follow the standard guidance and stay at home and away from others. 

Staff:

1. Let your line manager know as you usually would if you are ill or have an infectious disease. Even if you are not feeling ill, and able to work from home with no impact, your manager may have to be aware that they cannot ask you to come in for a period. If you are feeling ill you should report this in the usual sick leave procedure.
2. You no longer have to let coronavirus@marjon.ac.uk know. 
3. Line Managers do not have to complete a risk assessment but should manage the operational complexities of having covid in the team in the way they normally would with covering any illness. People can physically return to the campus five days after testing positive, but if you can manage it within the team, 10 days would be preferable to avoid more operational disruption from passing covid on.

Certain people are considered to be more at risk of covid, and they can access testing and treatments. You can read about this on the NHS website: Treatments for coronavirus (COVID-19) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

If you are at higher risk and concerned if you get symptoms, as well as following NHS advice, please let us know on coronavirus@marjon.ac.uk.

Contact Student Support if you are very anxious about your situation but if it is a medical concern, call 111. 

Rules are different in other countries. Please follow government guidance for travel abroad. 

Note this can change quickly so keep yourself up to date, including when you are travelling.

We strongly encourage you to wear face coverings in communal areas of the University, particularly when near people you do not normally meet, in crowded areas and when approaching members of staff. 

Face coverings are no longer required in public indoor spaces but are encouraged in many locations. 

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)