Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Last Update: 11/17/2020 2:20 p.m.

Northwestern Health Sciences University is committed to our community’s health and safety, maintaining student’s academic progress, and minimizing disruptions as much as possible. We track MN’s Stay Safe Plan and follow all of its guidelines. Please review the NWHSU Preparedness Plan for specific information.

How are classes being delivered in the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 terms?

Classes will be delivered in a hybrid format in the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 terms. Students will do their didactic coursework remotely and be on-campus for lab, clinical, and other strategically selected campus experiences with their faculty. Students will get instructions from faculty and staff on health and safety protocols for these on-campus experiences.

We continue to evaluate the best methods to deliver coursework and will communicate any changes as soon as they are planned.

COVID-19 Transmission Data for NWHSU Community

We continue to see new positive tests reported but the pace slowed this past week. As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, please use every precaution including staying home or if you must go out, wear a mask and social distance. Community spread at social gatherings remains the primary contributor to the past few weeks’ surge in positive cases. Testing has never been more accessible, see COVID-19 Community Testing Sites or how to test at home. Per MN Stay Safe guidance, we are publishing the number of COVID-19 positive cases within the NWHSU community, specifically our students, faculty, and staff. For more information on the risk status, thresholds, and trends for indicators on our campus public health, please see the    COVID-19 Indicators Dashboard.

Total cumulative cases​
Total cases within 14-day period​
48
18

 

Is the campus building open?

Yes, but for limited purposes. Please see below for more information:

  • Fall classes started Tuesday, September 8 and are being offered in a hybrid format. Students and faculty will be on-campus for scheduled lab and clinical experiences.
  • The Greenawalt Library is open for student visits at limited capacity. Appointments will be required for study rooms. Please see the library’s page for more information.
  • A limited number of designated employees who are working in campus clinics, retail store, maintenance and other essential needs.
  • Campus Store: Please see below for more information.
Campus Store

The Campus Store is open to the public, students, staff, and faculty for in-person shopping Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., and Monday – Friday from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

There is an 8 customer limit in the store and a line will be formed when needed. Masks are required and only credit/debit card transactions are accepted.

Curbside pickup: Tuesday and Thursday,  9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
When you arrive, come to door #2 on 84th Street. Call the store from your car and let them know you have arrived. Your order will be delivered to your car.

Phone, web or email orders: Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm
To place an order select one of the following options:

You’ll be contacted to arrange for pre-payment. Please allow one business day for your order to be prepared. Orders may be shipped as well.

Herbal Dispensary

We are open to fill orders from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Clinics

NWHSU Bloomington Clinic, Human Performance Center, De Rusha Clinic, Integrative Clinic of Minnesota, and Salvation Army Harbor Light are all open.

During this period with limited in-person services, our providers continue to offer telemedicine in Chinese Medicine and Chiropractic. Fees vary based on the length of the session. For more information, call 952-885-5444.

Our Radiological Consulting Services are still available for provider radiology needs. Customers will not be allowed in the building.

Will students continue to practice in the clinics?

Clinical internships are offered where possible. On-campus internships are available on a limited basis.

All NWHSU Clinics will have proper PPE available and all health and safety guidelines will be enforced.

Community clinics and clinical partners are establishing their own health and safety guidelines, including PPE availability.

Students are not required to participate in their internships and clinical training until they feel safe or comfortable. Clinical training may delay your graduation, but you will not be penalized. Work with your program or clinical director to discuss options.

What safety measures do you have in place for individuals on campus?

We continue to follow CDC and MN Department of Health guidelines, and have created a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan that includes guidelines for a safe return to campus. Any person who enters our campus building is required to wear an appropriate face covering while in any common hallways or spaces. The face covering can be removed while in a private work space.

Every person in our campus building is required to practice social distancing and wash their hands frequently. Everyone on campus must check their temperatures prior to coming to campus. If it is 100.4° F or higher, they must not come to campus.

Is free testing available?

Semi-permanent testing locations and community testing events: COVID-19 testing is available at no cost at all Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) community testing sites in partnership with communities. These testing sites offer nasal and saliva testing with results available in 24-48 hours. More information can be found at the Minnesota Department of Health website here.

Mail Order Program: Minnesota will provide a Vault saliva test at no cost directly to students with a Minnesota address. Currently this program is offered to Minnesota residents of selected counties, but it will be expanded state-wide soon and students with Minnesota addresses will not be denied a test. More information can be found here.

What resources are available for students?

We are committed to supporting each student’s progress toward their degree or credential as well as protecting the safety of all.

If students need resources or assistance during this time, please visit our Student Affairs webpage for information about low-cost internet access and more.

Any students suffering from food insecurity should request assistance from our Student Emergency Food Fund.

If you would like to support the students in our community by donating to our Student Emergency Food Fund, please visit the donation page.

Is travel being restricted?

At this time, there is no travel ban or quarantine in place for students or employees – domestic or international. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.  CDC recommends that you don’t travel if you are sick or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Don’t travel with someone who is sick.

Please note that hotspots can fluctuate, and is important to monitor the COVID-19 hotspot map published by the Kaiser Family Foundation and COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Country.

If you travel, take steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

  • Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings. Watch our video on mask safety here.
  • Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet from anyone who is not from your household.
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

How to Keep Yourself and Others Safe from COVID-19

It’s important for all of us to do our part to protect each other from the spread of COVID-19. Following these guidelines helps keep the campus building open and allows us to consider expanding access:

  • Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings
  • Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet from anyone who is not from your household
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer
  • Avoid contact with anyone who is sick
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

Please note that domestic hotspots can fluctuate, and is important to monitor the COVID-19 hotspot map published by the Kaiser Family Foundation. If you are traveling to other domestic locations, please consider the CDC guidance before planning your travel.

What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed?

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or someone that you suspect has the virus, these are the steps that you should take:

  • If the individual is someone in your household, distance yourself as much as possible from that individual
  • Self-quarantine for 14 days
  • If you develop symptoms, contact your healthcare provider

Whom should I notify if I’ve tested positive for COVID-19?

  • Students: Susan Neppl, Registrar, sneppl@nwhealth.edu
  • Staff and Faculty: Mary Gale, Vice President of Human Resources

These notifications will help us monitor the situation on campus and determine what additional precautions need to be taken.

If someone on campus tests positive for COVID-19, will NWHSU notify students or employees?

If we have a positive COVID-19 case, we will determine when the person was on campus and who may have had close contact with them. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes, not wearing a mask or wearing a cloth mask, having direct face-to-face contact, or being coughed or sneezed on by the ill person.

People on the close contact list will be notified about their exposure and guided on next steps.

What can I do if I feel anxious about the virus?

We know anxiety can arise in uncertain situations like this. The Coronavirus causes concern for the health of yourself, family members, friends, and others. If students need support, please contact the Student Affairs office for counseling resources; and any member of our community experiencing anxiety can connect directly to people who can help.

Where can I find additional information?

NWHSU faculty leadership released a formal statement speaking out against COVID-19 bigotry toward Asian-Americans. The press release includes additional information on the prevention of the spreading of bigotry and misinformation.