As cases rise, YSU officials focus on protocols and mental health services

YOUNGSTOWN — Like most places in the state, Youngstown State University has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases among students and employees over the past several weeks.

University officials said they are working to determine if their safety protocols are working and to look for ways to offer additional support to students and faculty.

University spokesman Ron Cole said the increase in cases at YSU is most likely due to the increase in cases across the state.

"You see the numbers in the region and state go up and so naturally you're going to see our numbers reflect that," Cole told Mahoning Matters.

According to the Ohio Department of Health on Tuesday, the state reported 247,260 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus — 6,165 more than reported Monday, including 267 new cases in the Mahoning Valley. According to YSU's COVID-19 dashboard, YSU reported 37 new cases for the week of Oct. 31, which is the most cases reported in one week since the dashboard launched in August.

The university has reported a total of 117 cases from YSU students and employees since Aug. 1.

There have been 97 cases reported by students living off-campus, five cases from students living on-campus and three cases from students who have never been on campus. There have been 12 cases reported by employees.

YSU's Director of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Julie Gentile said off-campus housing is considered any student housing except Cafaro, Lyden and Kilcawley dormitories. Housing facilities like The Edge Apartments, the scene of large parties as the school year launched in August, is adjacent to the university but is independently operated considered off-campus housing.

Health Commissioner Erin Bishop said Youngstown City Health District has not received complaints about YSU student off-campus housing inhabitants violating COVID-19 regulations.

Gentile, YSU housing staff and the Youngstown City Health District did a walk-through of the off-campus properties last week to ensure all protocols were in place and being followed, including The Edge, The Enclave, The Loft and The Courtyard.

The walk-through included discussions about the increase in cases, the distribution of pamphlets and adding more signs in living spaces and workout areas to keep students aware of COVID-19 protocols.

Cole said they were satisfied overall with the measures in place.

The off-campus category also includes students who still live at home and attend the largely commuter campus. In terms of tracking those cases, "It's dependent on where students live and who is reporting it," Gentile explained

The university continues to work with Youngstown City Health District to monitor cases and for contact tracing, Cole said. Contact tracing has been able to keep track of students who have tested positive to see who they have been in contact with so there is no significant spread, Cole said.

Cole said he is not aware of any problems with students having gathering outside of classes. Before Halloween weekend, students were reminded of the protocols in place by the university, and there were no issues reported to YSU during the weekend.

The YSU Police Department and others on campus are always monitoring campus for gatherings so that they can be stopped as quickly, if necessary, Cole said.

He added the university is also continually monitoring and messaging all students regarding the pandemic.

"Safety is our top priority, and we feel like students and employees have done a good job following protocols," Cole said. "We just need to stay vigilant."

The university plans to return to campus after Thanksgiving break from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. YSU is offering free rapid COVID-19 testing to students, faculty and staff on Nov. 18 so they can ensure they are safe to return home.

YSU is also using CARES Act funding to increase mental health services for students during the ongoing pandemic.

The university, which has two full-time mental health counselors on campus, is hiring an additional full-time counselor and at least one part-time counselor to help increase awareness of available services, provide prevention programs and meet the increased mental health needs of students during the pandemic.

YSU also is exploring hiring multiple graduate associates and contracting with a private mental health provider for additional student counseling services.

"The persistence and scope of this deadly disease has caused much stress and anxiety and taken a terrible toll on the mental health of so many across the nation and the world, including college students whose lives both on and off-campus have been greatly altered by the pandemic," Ann Jaronski, director of Student Counseling Services, said in a news release. "These additional mental health resources will help our students weather the storm and give them an opportunity to persevere academically and personally during these challenging times."

YSU also plans to provide more self-help and prevention options, including yoga classes with a psycho-education component, "wellness bags" for students, mobile stress cart and programs. The university will also explore telehealth resources and applications for students dealing with stress, depression, burn-out and other pressures that might interfere with their academic success.

The increased services, paid for through $335,340 in federal funds via the CARES Act, will be available to students as the fall semester ends Dec. 12 and into the start of spring semester classes Jan. 11.

This story was originally published November 11, 2020 at 4:52 AM with the headline "As cases rise, YSU officials focus on protocols and mental health services."