Winona State University recently added a new COVID-19 isolation area on campus. The COVID isolation area is located on the first floor of Morey-Shepard. Housing and Residence Life has stated they do not want any healthy students entering this isolation area.

On-campus students who test positive for COVID are given two options for isolation, go home to quarantine or they can stay in the designated isolation area. COVID positive students must quarantine for five days and are served three meals a day from the dinning hall. There are no additional fees to stay in this isolation area.

For the last two years, Winona State has utilized the Tau Center located on West Campus to isolate students.
“Since we have divested ourselves from West Campus, we no longer have that option.” Sarah Olcott, Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life, said. “So we took the section of Morey-Shepard that didn’t have desirable rooms and converted ten rooms into our isolation area.”

The Morey-Shepard isolation area includes a kitchen and common area, and students are welcome to use this space during their stay.

“That space is open for the students to change their environment, so they aren’t just stuck in their rooms,” Olcott said.

Olcott stated if an off-campus student needed a space to quarantine, they are sure the university would accommodate them.

“We also communicate with the Dean of Students office, so we tell them how to contact their professors and the Dean of Students if they need release from classes,” Olcott said.

Housing and Residence Life takes their lead on COVID from Health Services on campus.

Once a student tests positive, they are encouraged to self-report their case using the self-report form through Health and Wellness Services to help monitor risks for the campus community. Students can also get tested and vaccinated at Health and Wellness Services located in the Integrated Wellness Complex. Health Services communicates with Housing and Residence Life with the names of COVID positive students to determine if on-campus isolation is necessary.

Winona State still has the Ask-A-Nurse message line for students to call if they want guidance or self-care tips.

“We really have a wonderful campus community that has worked so hard to keep each other safe and seen how much this community cares for one another,” Kamara said. “I think a lot of the things we have learned from COVID-19 are really important to keep our students pursuing their academics and having fun.”