COVID-19

Like other colleges and universities across the country, the global coronavirus pandemic has impacted Southern College of Optometry. 

Please review the following facts and important guidelines regarding COVID-19 and the SCO campus:

COVID-19 Facts

• Incubation time is 2-14 days for the virus to replicate in the body and return a positive test result.
• If you are exposed, you should quarantine for 14 days.
• Tracing the exposure begins 48 hours prior to the date the positive test was performed or if known, the date of the first symptoms.
• Most people will have symptoms beginning day 5-10 of this incubation time.
• If you are positive, the virus takes approximately 10 days to run its course and exit the body.  You will be asked to isolate from everyone for 10 days.
  • The practice recommended by the CDC and the TN Department of Health, and the guiding SCO policy currently:
    • 1) Time-based strategy: Persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have not had any symptoms will use the time-based strategy.  
      • At least 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test assuming they have not subsequently developed symptoms since their positive test. If they develop symptoms, then the symptom-based or test-based strategy should be used.
    • 2a) Test-based strategy: Persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have had symptoms will use the two negative specimen test-based strategy.  
      • Negative results of an FDA Emergency Use Authorized COVID-19 molecular assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected ≥24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens)*. See Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Note, because of the absence of symptoms, it is not possible to gauge where these individuals are in the course of their illness. There have been reports of prolonged detection of RNA without direct correlation to viral culture.
    • 2b) Symptom-based strategy: Persons with COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions:  
      • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared or COVID-19 test was performed and
      • At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
      • Symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved
         
• All of the above can be altered with guidance from the individual’s PCP, the TN Department of Health and the Shelby County Department of Health

You are considered exposed if:

• Contact of more than 10 minutes with infected.
• Less than 6 ft apart in social distancing.

All lectures will be online only until further notice. Employees and students should monitor emails, texts, and social media updates. Alumni and ODs can read helpful practice and business information also posted on this page.

Important links:

• Student, Extern, and Resident COVID-19 Resources

• COVID-19 Resources for Practicing ODs

• SCO COVID-19 News & Updates