FORT MYERS, Fla -- There's a new requirement going into effect at Florida Gulf Coast University Monday, to cut down on a rising number of campus-related Coronavirus cases.
The university is cracking down on its mandatory daily health screening, which students must prove they've completed before stepping foot on campus.
The university said it needs to do everything possible to keep the semester on track. Over the weekend, another case was reported. According to the university's website, this marks 55 students and three staff members who have tested positive since the semester began last month.
As for this new case, the student lives in the South Village campus housing and has been ordered to quarantine.
The daily health screening app is something the university has said students must due since the Fall semester began. However, the school said its student participation rate is not where it needs to be.
Beginning Monday, students will be asked to show proof they’ve been cleared by the app. Following a brief questionnaire, they will receive email confirmation with a green checkmark if they’re cleared. It will be dated and time stamped.
The university hopes the new requirement will not only stop further spread of the virus, but also help students get testing and medical attention quickly if they need it.
Among other things, the screening app asks students to check any new symptoms they may be experiencing that have developed over the last 24 to 48 hours, including a temperature of 100 degrees or higher. It also asks if they have had close contact with a COVID-19 positive person and if they're waiting on a test result.
Fox 4 has reached out to FGCU to see what the university is doing to keep students from omitting information about how they feel, to avoid missing class or other on-campus activities. We asked if mandatory temperature checks are something it might consider. Here is what the university said:
The case management system relies on students to provide timely and accurate information as part of their individual responsibility to help keep our campus healthy.
The challenge has been to get more students to participate in using the screening app, and we’re hopeful this reminder to students will be helpful.
We’re not planning temperature checks.
