COVID-19 FAQs

Q. Is NSU offering the vaccine? 

A. Yes!  The NSU Clinic has the Moderna vaccine, and the Florida Department of Health is currently using space at NSU.  The DOH site is located at 7901 SW 36^th Street, Suite 209 (Behind Wells Fargo).    The DOH hours are M-Th 12- 8 PM and Saturday 10 - 6 PM. 

Q. Are face coverings required? 

A. No, they are optional unless you have been directed to wear one per your role as an employee or if you are at a campus with an executive order requiring a mask (Puerto Rico). 

Q. I lost my Florida COVID vaccination card, how do I get a new one? 

A. Call the FL DOH at 954-412-7300 and select the option for vaccination records. New cards are mailed in 7-10 days.

Q. Is NSU providing plexiglass partitions for COVID protection?

A. No.  NSU is no longer providing partitions.  There is significant research indicating dividers negatively interfere with building ventilation design. Additionally, all buildings at NSU have received HVAC enhancements. Areas where such concerns exist are encouraged to wear well-fitted masks. 

Q. Can students living in on-campus housing order free test kits?

A. Yes, but not through the United States Postal Service (USPS) offer.  The USPS will not recognize on campus housing as a residence and therefore will not deliver the free test kits offered by the government to students.  However, NSU will provide each residential student with a free test kit.  Requests can be made by completing THIS FORM.  

Q. How long after a person has recovered from COVID should you wait to get a booster?

A. The Florida Department of Health states there is no minimal interval between being recovered from COVID-19 and receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Q: If I test positive COVID-19, what is needed for me to return?

A.  At least 5 full days have passed since symptoms first appeared and, at least 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medication and, symptoms have resolved or markedly improved. No clearance test is required. 

Q: Can I get a COVID test on campus?

A.  Yes. The Student Medical Center provides COVID testing. Visit the Student Medical Center web site for an appointment: https://nsuhealth.nova.edu/student-care/student-medical-center.html

 Q. If I was around someone who tested positive - do I need to quarantine?

 A. Maybe!  Those recently boosted or vaccinated do not have to quarantine but must wear a mask. See details below: 

If you are recently vaccinated or boosted:   You completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months OR completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months, then you do not have to quarantine but will wear a mask around others for 10 days and test on day 5. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

If it has been a while since vaccination or not vaccinated:  You completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR you are unvaccinated:

 Q. If I was around someone, who was around someone else who tested positive - do I need to quarantine?

A. No. Only those with direct exposure to a positive case need to quarantine.

 Q. Is it possible to have strep throat and COVID at the same time? What about the flu and COVID?

A. Yes.  Unfortunately you can have both at the same time.  It is VERY important that you avoid being around others when you are not feeling well. 

Q: If I had COVID a while back, but I am currently fully recovered, do I need to now report?

A.  No.  If you had COVID over the winter break, or while you were away from campus and you are now fully recovered, you do not need to report.  COVIDCase manages active cases.

Q. Is NSU sponsored travel approved? 

A. All University-sponsored international travel continues to require approval from the Provost and/or Executive Vice President|Chief Operating Officer.

• University-related domestic travel is currently permitted and may be approved by the Dean or department vice president.
• Travel for conferences and academic meetings is permitted and must be approved by the Dean or department vice president.
• Those fully vaccinated, as defined by the CDC, may resume campus activities when they return from travel if they have no symptoms. 
• Individuals who have not been vaccinated, must self-isolate for 7 days after travel, and take a PCR test between days 3 -5. They must obtain a negative PCR test and complete all 7 days before resuming on-campus activities. These individuals will follow all CDC guidance for traveling

Q. Which are the best face coverings to wear? 

A. Not all face covers are equal.  Review this guidance for details to help you select the best one! 

Q. Should I wear gloves?

 A. Gloves are not part of the CDC guidelines and are not advised for the general population. 

 Q: How is the university cleaning and disinfecting buildings across campus?

A. In alignment with public health recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nova Southeastern University is taking measures to prevent community spread of COVID-19, which includes undertaking enhanced disinfection procedures in communal areas across campus. High-touch points such as building entrances, elevators and other common areas are cleaned on a more frequent basis.

Q: I have not seen additional presence of custodial staff; when is cleaning happening?

A. Most cleaning will continue to be conducted when campus activity is low (i.e. late evening to early morning) to reduce instances of person-to-person interaction and disruption to campus operations. Please contact your Building Manager specific areas for review.

Q: What disinfectant is the university using?

A. NSU uses an EPA-registered, healthcare-rated disinfectant to clean and disinfect campus buildings (Virex II 256).

Q: What is the responsibility of individual NSU staff members?

A. All personnel must follow the Faculty and Staff Safety Guidelines for physical distancing and face-covering in all common areas. Please assist us as we strive for a healthier environment by cleaning high-touch areas in your personal and shared workspaces throughout the day. NSU staff can request additional disinfecting supplies though the NSU School Dude work order system. Supply chains remain stressed, so availability is limited. We will work on fulfilling all requests in a timely manner. For any emergencies, please notify your Building Manager directly.

 Q: Are electrostatic spraying/fogging disinfectants being used, and how often?

A. Electrostatic spraying to disinfect communal areas will happen on a frequent basis across campus on a staggered schedule, overnights. If your division or department would like additional electrostatic treatments, please place a work order. Electrostatic treatment can take anywhere from 5 hours to 10 hours depending on the size of the areas/area to be disinfected.

Q: What is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?

A. CLEANING uses detergents to physically remove germs, dirt, and other impurities from surfaces and objects. This process does not necessarily kill germs but lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Cleaning is most appropriate for all contact surfaces, especially high-touch surfaces.

DISINFECTING works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. Most EPA-registered disinfectants contain both disinfectant and detergency, and is therefore a critical step in the enhanced cleaning process.

A.NSU has expanded distribution and placement of hand sanitizer stations containing alcohol-based hand sanitizer throughout campus. These stations are routinely located in high-traffic building entrances. Although hand sanitizer can help prevent the spread of the virus, practicing the CDC’s proper hand-washing technique is most effective. Please contact your respective Building Manager for questions about hand sanitizing stations in your area.