Virginia Tech works to strengthen COVID-19 case management efforts

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) – Virginia Tech continues to make efforts to strengthen case management efforts.

Some of the new ways the Virginia Tech community is enhancing COVID-19 support for both students and staff include additional employee case managers, a new Student Advocate program that assists students in on-campus isolation and quarantine spaces as well as the adoption of a singular digital case management platform.

Promoting these strategies will help supplement the rigorous procedures and protocols outlined in the university’s Case Management and Contact Tracing Plan, as well as help, support the overall well-being and success of students, faculty and staff

The university has updated its overall plan for Spring Semester which can be viewed by clicking here.

Virginia Tech’s Case Management Team serves employees and students across the commonwealth and is comprised of representatives from Virginia Tech Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Schiffert Health Center, Human Resources, Hokie Wellness, Division of Student Affairs, Housing and Residence Life, Dean of Students Office and Virginia Tech Athletics.

Members of the team maintain the university case management system and coordinates on and off-campus quarantine and isolation.

Case managers draft notification letters and connect individuals with human resources and academic support as needed.

Medical professionals on the team act as a liaison to the Virginia Department of Health and local health districts, assisting with outreach to close contacts of those who test positive as well as coordinating further medical evaluations as needed.

“We’re thrilled to have these new team members, who will be fully dedicated to case management, join us. Without a doubt, they will provide a needed boost to our operational capacity. They will also help offer our employees more consistent communication and support, from initial notification of a positive test result or exposure to their ultimate return to work.”
Juliet Dadras, Occupational Health Nurse

To help in supporting students in campus quarantine and isolation spaces, a new Student Advocate Team will help to provide virtual support to students during the spring semester. This team will aid in serving as case managers, participating in a four-week rotation.

The advocates will work with a caseload of approximately 25 students and serve as a single point of contact to students during a time when they have little to no contact with others.

Advocates will check-in virtually with students each day and will work with the Dean of Students Office and campus partners to address students’ concerns and needed. They will also help students walk through their options to decide whether they quarantine or isolate on or off-campus.