Cosiano Health Center Steps Up with COVID Testing, Contact Tracing, and Other Safety Measures

University of Findlay’s Cosiano Health Center is prepared for the return of students to campus with daily health assessments, COVID-19 testing protocols, and contact tracing.

Creating a one-way traffic flow throughout the building, updating the layout of the waiting room to accommodate appropriate physical distancing, and temperature checks using an infrared, touch-less thermometer, are just some of the new changes that can be seen at the Cosiano Health Center. Tara Smith, director of health services, explained the Health Center is also working closely with Blanchard Valley Health System and Hancock Public Health to administer COVID-19 tests and conduct contact tracing for those who have contracted the virus.

While the University is not mandating COVID-19 tests campus wide for students, faculty, or staff, tests can be ordered if an individual meets the criteria for a possible COVID-19 infection. Tests will be available at the Health Center.

According to the Oiler Start Safe & Stay Safe plan, “All members of the University of Findlay community will be expected to cooperate with the University’s and Hancock Public Health’s​ contact tracing efforts.” This will include an interview to determine who the person in question may have been in contact with and are then notified by the Health Department that they may have been exposed to the virus. For more detailed information on contact tracing, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention online.

In accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, the University will notify local health officials, employees, and students immediately of any case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Family Education Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable laws and regulations.

To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the University will also be implementing quarantine and isolation policies. Those who test positive for COVID-19 will be asked to isolate themselves. Anyone who may have come into contact with an infected person should also observe a period of quarantine. For students residing in on campus housing, separate housing will be provided for quarantine and isolation where the Cosiano Health Center will follow up daily. Additional academic support for students in isolation and quarantine is available through the Oiler Success Center and other student support services.

For those planning to visit the Health Center, Smith said, “we will still accept walk-ins, but appointments are now preferred. When patients call, the nurses will now go over a questionnaire to better assess the needs of the patient before arriving to the health center.” In accordance with the state mandate, masks will also be required for all visitors and are available on-site for anyone who does not have one.

The Health Center is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and tele-health appointments with a physician will be available upon request. To schedule an appointment, please contact the Cosiano Health Center at 419-434-4550 or cosiano@findlay.edu. For more information on how the University is handling COVID-19, visit the Oiler Start Safe & Stay Safe webpage.