FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

UWI | St. Augustine | COVID-19

A comprehensive list of frequently asked questions is available here in the following categories:

General FAQs

GENERAL FAQs

What is COVID-19?

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

How is COVID-19 spread?

Should I wear a mask?

How can I minimise the risk of contracting COVID-19?

Where can I get more information about COVID-19?

What is The UWI St. Augustine Campus doing to keep the Campus Community informed?

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%)recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems and/or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. About 2% of people with the disease have died. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

How is COVID-19 spread?

People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose and mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or sneezes. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or sneezes. This is why it is important to stay more than 2 metres (6 feet) away from a person who is sick.

Should I wear a mask?

As advised by the Ministry of Health of Trinidad and Tobago, you are encouraged to wear a mask once out in public. Masks should be used as a part of the full range of personal protection measures that should be adopted to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Surgical masks and N95 masks should be left for use by health care workers.

Follow these steps provided by the WHO when wearing masks:

Place the mask carefully, ensuring it covers the mouth and nose, and tie it securely to minimize any gaps between the face and the mask.
Avoid touching the mask while wearing it.
Remove the mask using the appropriate technique: do not touch the front of the mask but untie it from behind.
After removal or whenever a used mask is inadvertently touched, clean hands using an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Replace masks as soon as they become damp with a new clean, dry mask.
Do not re-use single-use masks.
Discard single-use masks after each use and dispose of them immediately upon removal.

Please note that the use of masks alone does not reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. Please pay close attention to the ‘How can I minimise the risk of contracting COVID-19?’ section below.

How can I minimise the risk of contracting COVID-19?

Please be guided by the following tips from the World Health Organization:

Clean hands reduce your risk. Clean your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs.
Clean your work areas regularly with disinfectants (desks, phones etc.)
Keep yourself informed from reliable sources and avoid the spread of false information. (Reliable sources include The UWI, CARPHA, WHO, Ministries of Health.)
Avoid travelling if you have a fever and cough; seek medical attention if required.
Manage your coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue. Dispose of tissues immediately and clean your hands.
The elderly or persons with cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory conditions should avoid crowded places.
If you have fevers and are coughing or sneezing, seek medical attention and stay at home.
If you are sick and are at home, sleep separately from other family members, use different cutlery and utensils.
If you develop shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately.

Where can I get more information about COVID-19?

For up-to-date information, please check the following websites:

What is The UWI St. Augustine Campus doing to keep the Campus Community informed?

Campus Administration is receiving guidance and working closely with the Ministry of Health, The UWI COVID-19 Task Force, and other key agencies to monitor this evolving situation and respond appropriately.

The Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD) is working with students, to provide support in various areas. Students with concerns or questions should email studentservicesanddevelopment@sta.uwi.edu.

The Marketing and Communications Office has developed a comprehensive communications campaign to support these developments. It includes:

Campus Administration is receiving guidance and working closely with The UWI COVID-19 Task Force, the Ministry of Health and other key agencies to monitor this evolving situation and respond appropriately
The Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD) is working with non-national students, particularly those on the Halls of Residence. Students with concerns or questions should email studentservicesanddevelopment@sta.uwi.edu.
The Marketing and Communications Office has developed a comprehensive communications campaign to support these developments. It includes:

Regular (sometimes daily) email updates from Marketing.Communications@sta.uwi.edu
This website, created as a critical resource, https://sta.uwi.edu/covid19
Posting information on the Campus' main Social Media platforms: Facebook @UWISTA, Twitter @uwi_staugustine and Instagram @uwi_staugustine
Media Advisories disseminated to local and regional media outlets.