Healthy WPU – COVID Information

COVID Policies

COVID-19 Case Alerts Protocol

William Peace University follows the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, known commonly as the Clery Act, to guide communications decisions regarding confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Therefore the University will post a campus notification when a public health agency has confirmed via a COVID-19 test that a member of the community has the virus. William Peace University will work with Wake County to conduct contact tracing for student or employee cases that fit this criteria. Under HIPAA and FERPA regulations, William Peace University is unable to provide details about individual cases.

Mask Policy

  • Masks are optional both indoors and outdoors.

What are some of the enhancements by the University to ensure a safe environment?

William Peace University has done extensive changes to enhance the health and wellbeing of the entire community. Including improved air quality in several buildings, heightened and increased cleaning schedules for common areas, reconfiguring of academic and office spaces to reduce density and elevate social distancing, changes in traffic flows (entry and exit points), installation of hand sanitizers across the campus, signage to ensure compliance and the importance of everyone doing their part, and additional cleaning supplies across campus.

We will continue to monitor and implement changes as we identify needs.

Parents and families on WPU campus.
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Vaccination for COVID-19

Vaccinations are the best tool we have to combat the spread of COVID. You are encouraged to follow CDC guidance for vaccinations and boosters to protect yourself and others in the campus community. You are currently considered up to date after you have completed your primary series and any recommended boosters: Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC.  If you have not received your vaccination and recommended booster, we strongly encourage you to do so. 

In addition to COVID vaccinations, all faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to receive the annual flu vaccine when it becomes available this fall. Although the flu vaccine is not required, we know it is effective in preventing the spread of the virus, maintaining in-person learning, and preserving healthcare resources.  Flu vaccine clinics are scheduled on campus each fall and winter.

Testing

  • We strongly recommend you test for COVID 24-72 hours before arriving on campus for either the fall or spring semesters, especially if you have any symptoms of COVID-19. 
  • During the term, all students who develop any symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to wear a mask and get tested. Students are asked to submit their test results to Health Services at HealthServices@peace.edu.
  • If you test positive for COVID-19, please notify the Wellness Center immediately at HealthServices@ peace.edu. We will give you further instructions at that time. 

Mask Policy

We strongly encourage all members of our community to get the vaccine and boosters.

  • Masks are optional both indoors and outdoors.

If You Receive Positive Test Results

If you test positive for COVID-19, please notify the Wellness Center immediately at HealthServices@ peace.edu. We will give you further instructions at that time.

Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to work together to keep everyone healthy and our community safe.

Information for Residential Students

  • We will maintain increased cleaning and sanitization throughout our residential communities to provide a safe and healthy living environment for all.
  • Residential students must have an emergency plan that includes a location they may go to if the University’s residential status changes or if the student becomes ill and needs to leave campus.

Counseling

COVID-19 has impacted our students in many ways. If you need to speak to someone, please email counseling@peace.edu or call 919-508-2163 to schedule an appointment. 

Disability Services

Disability Services staff will work closely with students, faculty, and staff to ensure appropriate accommodations are in place. To contact Disability Services, please email Disability@peace.edu.

Telehealth Appointments

Health Services

Health, Counseling, and Disability Services staff will be meeting with students via secure telehealth platforms.

To schedule an appointment with a nurse, the doctor, or a counselor, please email the respective office:

Our University Nurse in Health Services can answer questions about COVID-19 test procedures.  If you have any of the above symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have received a positive test result, please contact Health Services immediately.

William Peace University follows the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, known commonly as the Clery Act, to guide communications decisions regarding confirmed COVID-19 cases.

What to Know about Monkeypox

We are closely monitoring the global outbreak of monkeypox. Locally, the North Carolina Health Department and Wake County Public Health are tracking cases in our region. According to the CDC, the general threat of monkeypox to the public is considered LOW at this time.

For the most up-to-date information, we recommend the resources available through the Monkeypox | Wake County Government and the Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is part of a family of viruses that causes smallpox. Thus, symptoms are similar to smallpox, however much less severe and rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox, but it is a virus that is spread, most commonly through close intimate contact with someone with the known virus. It is less transmissible than chickenpox, measles, or even COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

  • Monkeypox can cause a rash that looks like bumps, blisters, or ulcers, sometimes located on hands, feet, chest, face, around the genitals, or inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus.
  • Some people have a flu-like illness before the rash develops.
  • Most people recover in 2–4 weeks, but the disease can be severe, especially for children and people who are immune compromised or pregnant.
  • Other symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and fatigue.
  • An individual isn’t considered contagious until symptoms appear. They remain contagious until all sores have healed, a new layer of skin is formed, and scabs have fallen off.
  • See photos of Monkeypox rash.

How does it spread?

Anyone can get monkeypox, regardless of age, sex, or gender identity, though the virus does not spread easily. Routes of transmission include:

  • Direct physical contact with monkeypox rash, sores, or scabs from a person with monkeypox. The CDC believes this is currently the most common way monkeypox spreads in the U.S.
  • Kissing and other face-to-face contact due to contact with respiratory droplets or oral fluids (saliva)
  • During sex through skin-to-skin and other intimate sexual contact
  • Contact with objects, fabrics (e.g., clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces used by someone with monkeypox
  • It does not linger in the air; it is not thought to be transmitted during short periods of shared air space.

Some groups at heightened risk for severe outcomes include people with suppressed immune systems, older adults, children under 8 years old, and people who are pregnant.

Is there a vaccine?

 Vaccines are available in limited supply, at no cost, for individuals with known or suspected exposure to monkeypox. Vaccination in Raleigh is currently only available through the Health Department. WPU does not have access to the monkeypox vaccine, although we have been in touch with health authorities about getting students tested and vaccinated as needed.

What can I do to protect myself?

  • Ask your sexual partners whether they have a rash or other symptoms of monkeypox, such as fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, or exhaustion.
  • Avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash or other monkeypox symptoms and those diagnosed with monkeypox.
  • Don’t share bedding, towels, clothing, utensils, or cups with a person with symptoms of monkeypox.
  • For more information – quick facts

I’m experiencing symptoms—what now? What about testing?

  • If you start experiencing symptoms, even if they are mild, talk to your healthcare provider immediately.
  • Are you a student? The Wellness Center is here to support you. Please schedule an appointment to be evaluated at: healthservices@peace.edu.
  • Are you a faculty or staff member? Contact your medical provider.

Learn more about monkeypox

The WPU Planning Team regularly meets to monitor COVID-19, monkeypox, and other community health concerns. Please continue to be diligent in looking out for the health, safety, and well-being of one another, and thank you for supporting all members of our campus community.

Previous COVID-19 Data

  • Spring 2022 COVID-19 Data

    Spring 2022 COVID-19 Campus Data

    DATE Active Confirmed Case Count Cumulative Case Count
    May 2 4 125

    Active Confirmed Case Count: any person who has a confirmed diagnosis and has an active infection of the COVID-19 virus and had any contact or access to campus.

    Cumulative Case count: total confirmed cases since Jan. 4, 2022.

    • Data excludes students who are enrolled in online courses only and not living in University housing, and includes all current employees for the Spring 2022 semester.
    • Updates are added weekly.

  • Fall 2021 COVID-19 Data

    Fall 2021 COVID-19 Campus Data

    DATE Active Confirmed Case Count Cumulative Case Count
    Dec. 20 1 41

    Active Confirmed Case Count: any person who has a confirmed diagnosis and has an active infection of the COVID-19 virus and had any contact or access to campus.

    Cumulative Case count: total confirmed cases since August 18, 2021.

    • Data excludes students who are enrolled in online courses only and not living in University housing, and includes all current employees for the Fall 2021 semester.
    • Updates are added as we are notified of confirmed cases daily (M-F) and weekend notifications will be added on the following Monday.

  • Summer 2021 COVID-19 Data

    DATE Active Confirmed Case Count Cumulative Case Count
    Aug 18 0 0

    Active Confirmed Case Count: any person who has a confirmed diagnosis and has an active infection of the COVID-19 virus and had any contact or access to campus.

    Cumulative Case count: total confirmed cases since May 10, 2021.

    • Data excludes students who are enrolled in online courses only and not living in University housing, and includes all current employees for the Summer 2021 semester.
    • Updates are added as we are notified of confirmed cases daily (M-F) and weekend notifications will be added on the following Monday.

  • Spring 2021 COVID-19 Data

    DATE Active Confirmed Case Count Cumulative Case Count
    May 7 0 20

    Active Confirmed Case Count: any person who has a confirmed diagnosis and has an active infection of the COVID-19 virus and had any contact or access to campus.

    Cumulative Case count: total confirmed cases since January 1, 2021.

    • Data excludes students who are enrolled in online courses only and not living in University housing, and includes all current employees for the Spring 2021 semester.
    • Updates are added as we are notified of confirmed cases daily (M-F) and weekend notifications will be added on the following Monday.

  • Fall 2020 COVID-19 Data

    Date Active Confirmed Case Count Cumulative Case Count
    Dec. 18 2 80
    Dec. 15 2 79
    Dec. 14 2 79
    Dec. 11 2 79
    Dec. 10 2 79
    Dec. 9 1 78
    Dec. 8 1 78
    Nov. 30 0 77
    Nov. 24 2 77
    Nov. 23 3 75
    Nov. 20 10 74
    Nov. 19 12 74
    Nov. 18 15 72
    Nov. 17 13 69
    Nov. 16 21 69
    Nov. 13 33 67
    Nov. 12 35 67
    Nov. 11 37 65
    Nov. 10 34 62
    Nov. 9 30 55
    Nov. 8 28 53
    Nov. 6 24 48
    Nov. 5 16 40
    Nov. 4 11 34
    Nov. 3 7 30
    Nov. 1 5 27
    Oct. 30 10 26
    Oct. 29 14 26
    Oct. 28 12 24
    Oct. 27 12 23
    Oct. 26 14 23
    Oct. 24 12 21
    Oct. 21 4 12
    Oct. 14 1 8
    Oct. 7 1 8
    Sept. 30 0 7
    Sept. 23 1 7
    Sept. 16 1 6
    Sept. 9 1 5
    Sept. 2 0 4
    August 26 2 4
    August 19 1 2
    August 12 2 2
    August 4 2 2

    Active Confirmed Case Count: any person who has a confirmed diagnosis and has an active infection of the COVID-19 virus.

    Cumulative Case count: total confirmed cases since August 1, 2020. This case count is specific to Fall 2020 data and results. 

    • Data excludes students who are enrolled in online courses only and not living in University housing, and includes all current employees for the fall 2020 semester.
    • Updates are added as we are notified of confirmed cases (the change in notification process was modified on 10/24/2020).