College students heading home for the holidays are being asked to spend the first 14 days in quarantine. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said Wednesday that many of the state’s new COVID-19 cases are in the 18-to-30 age group, just as colleges are getting ready to send their students home.
“So my guidance to every student coming home is this: behave as if you have COVID or have been exposed,” Box said. “When you get home, plan to spend those 14 days in quarantine, even in your own home. Wear a mask, even in your own home. Don’t see your grandma or other elderly relatives until you complete that 14-day period without any symptoms.”
Box said she’s offering to send rapid BinaxNOW tests to colleges and universities that aren’t already testing students as they leave campus. But she warned that those who were recently exposed could have COVID-19 but still test negative.
Once students are done quarantining, there are also ways for them to help with the state’s COVID-19 response. Box said the Indiana Department of Health is teaming up with the Bowen Center to launch a college student reserve workforce. “Opportunities could include serving as a substitute teacher, helping with contact tracing, helping the state and local hospitals, as we register individuals to be vaccinated, and many more.”
Click here for more information about how to get involved.
