With campuses reopening for in-person classes this fall, college students coming to Tulsa from overseas won’t have to worry about gaining permission to stay in the country, school officials said Friday.
As campuses nationwide closed last spring for the COVID-19 pandemic, federal authorities granted special permission for international students to remain in the United States while completing the semester online. But immigration officials announced last week that the same permission wouldn’t be extended this fall, meaning international students would likely have to return to their home countries if they were taking only online courses.
The University of Tulsa and Oral Roberts University, however, plan to have face-to-face classes this fall, albeit with special rules about wearing masks and social distancing.
“As a result, ORU’s international students are able to come back to school as they would otherwise do,” said Nancy Brainard, vice president of enrollment management.
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ORU classes will begin as originally scheduled Aug. 13, but the south Tulsa campus will skip fall break this year and end the semester before Thanksgiving, reducing the chance that students will travel and bring COVID-19 back with them.
Likewise, TU plans to have in-person classes this fall that will allow international students to attend as usual.
However, “COVID-19 infections may require us to return to virtual classrooms at some point,” said Interim President Janet Levit.
“International students have always played an important role in campus life at the University of Tulsa,” she said. “We view as highly counterproductive any policy that jeopardizes the ability of these bright scholars to attend TU and share their world views with our domestic students.”
She called on federal officials to reverse the decision and again allow international students to remain in the country this fall even for online classes.
“TU stands with all of our students,” she said, “as well as those at other American universities.”
About one in five students at TU and about one in 10 at ORU come from outside the United States, according to published statistics.
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who's at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to About 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces, though that form of transmission is said to be minor.
Transmission between people more than 6 feet from one another may occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, the CDC says, especially where activities cause heavier breathing, such as singing or exercising.
The infectious period for patients can begin up to 48 hours before symptom onset.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is "purple toes," which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
The 'serious seven'
The "serious seven" refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The FDA has allowed for antiviral drug remdesivir, previously tested on humans with Ebola, to treat more severe cases of COVID-19 in adults and children. Safety and effectiveness aside, preliminary studies have shown it can shorten recovery time for some patients.
After previously approving an emergency use authorization, the FDA as of July 1 cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial. A review of safety issues includes reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
FEATURED VIDEO
Mayor G.T. Bynum gives a mask and COVID-19 update during a July 8 press conference
