Health Advisories

It is important to comply with all absence-related policies and protocols whether you are a student or employee.

• Students should review the Student Absence Protocols for navigating their specific absence. Employees should refer to the various HR policies and procedures related to employee absence.
• Advise your instructor or supervisor of your illness-related absence right away. You are not required to provide personal medical information to instructors or supervisors; however, documentation may be required in some cases based upon the number of days absent or circumstance.
• Review all policies relating to absence. This may be different for each course, instructor or position-specific.
• You do not need to utilize the medical reporting form used previously, to report your illness. Communication regarding absence should be navigated directly between you and your instructor or supervisor. Alternatively, students may reach out to the Dean of Student’s Office and employees may reach out to Human Resources for additional assistance or in the event of extended absence.
• Follow all Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended isolation and treatment protocols for your illness. (See some specific links below.) This may include continued masking upon return. It is important that you remain out of in-person activity if you have a fever due to illness, even if you have tested negative for an infectious illness.

COVID-19 Vaccination

• Vaccination against COVID-19 is not required for incoming or current students and employees, with the exception of students in specific programs, colleges, or schools may have vaccination requirements or protocols that supersede the University requirements. This includes some University-based travel, clinical, health or dental-specific programs. Students are advised of vaccine requirements directly from the college, school or program.

• The Fall 2023 composition of the COVID-19 is a monovalent, Omicron-based vaccine. You can locate available vaccines at vaccines.gov. You may also contact the CDC via the telephone hotline: English/Spanish and TTY  1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). For any uninsured individuals or those with health plans that do not cover the cost of a COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC's Bridge Access Program will provide vaccines at no cost.

The following resources provide information on common illnesses.

COVID-19 

• Reporting a positive case of COVID-19 to the University is not required; however, it is necessary you follow CDC guidelines for isolation and recommended precautions during recovery, including:
  • Notifying any close contacts. You can do this confidentially by sending a text or email through https://tellyourcontacts.org/; and
  • Isolating and masking for the required timeframe.
• Please refer to the CDC's COVID-19 site for resources on exposure, isolation, travel, and vaccination or the Wayne County Health Department Coronavirus website. 

Flu

• CDC Influenza (Flu) site

Strep Throat

• CDC Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Disease site 

Not feeling well but not a confirmed illness

Taking care of yourself on a daily basis will assist you in recovering quickly from an illness.

• Take precautions to minimize the potential health risk to others when you are not feeling well;
• Test to determine illness and mask when indoors or around others if you have a cough, sore throat or runny nose; and
• You should not be around others if you have symptoms of infectious illness, such as fever.

Find resources for improving physical health on our Physical Wellness page. Good physical health and proper sleep can assist your body in best managing an illness.

• The Detroit Mercy Wellness Center offers health clinic services.

Where to reach out for mental health services

• Detroit Mercy’s Personal Counseling Center offers personal counseling that is a fit for you, including virtual and in-person appointments.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress Helpline
  1-800-985-5990
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
  1-800-273-TALK (8255)