As of June 17, 2020, we have been made aware of three employees who have tested positive for COVID-19. Those employees are currently self-isolating and working with officials to identify individuals who may have been exposed. Upon notification, these individuals are advised of the proper protocol to monitor symptoms and are given directives to self-isolate until their status is confirmed.
Mississippi Valley State University is committed to safeguarding the health, wellness, and safety of our students, faculty and staff during this COVID-19 pandemic. As part of our continued efforts to mitigate the risk of transmission, we will remain operational with limited in-office personnel and telecommuting schedules through July 6, 2020. Employees should communicate with their director and/or vice president to determine their specific work schedule.
Additionally, an opportunity for COVID-19 testing is being made available by MVSU in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Health and the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). The UMMC Mobile Unit will be on MVSU’s campus on Tuesday, June 23, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Rice-Totten Stadium. All MVSU employees are strongly encouraged to get tested during this time.
Individuals requesting to be tested should:
1. Contact the UMMC tele-health center at (601) 420-7500 prior to the test date to request testing;
2. Respond to a few questions, which will result in the assignment of a patient identification number (ID#);
3. Maintain the patient ID# and present it at the testing site (your patient ID# will be confirmed at the site); and
4. Bring a government form of identification with you to the testing site (i.e. driver’s license, state ID, etc.)
Individuals desiring to be tested do not have to show signs and symptoms of COVID-19; they only need to have a concern regarding being exposed to someone who may be positive for COVID-19.
For your convenience, we have also included a list of local health providers who are offering COVID-19 testing. Many of these sites are offering free or low-cost testing options. Click here for a directory of other local COVID-19 testing providers.
While testing results are confidential, if an MVSU employee tests positive or is directed by medical providers to self-quarantine/self-isolate, then the employee must immediately notify their supervisor and/or the Office of Human Resources.
In an effort to minimize the spread of the virus, MVSU recently implemented temperature checks at campus entrances. Our facilities department, along with a certified cleaning company, have been revisiting campus buildings and offices to re-sanitize and disinfect. Other measures taken include the installation of hand sanitizer stations, requiring face masks and following social distancing guidelines among other CDC recommendations. As we prepare for the Fall 2020 semester, our goal is to continue implementing new strategies as needed to ensure the health and wellness of our campus community.
Please continue to monitor your University e-mail and MVSU’s COVID-19 webpage for additional COVID-19 related updates.