Isolation Guidelines
Students who are ill with respiratory illnesses will be asked to self-isolate, stay out of classes and public spaces, and get meals to go (wearing a high-quality surgical mask while around others) until symptoms are improving overall and they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (Tylenol, Motrin/Advil).
Once criteria are met to return to class and activities, all are asked to take additional precautions by wearing a high-quality surgical mask for five additional days.
Please note that these general guidelines will have exemptions for immunocompromised individuals and healthcare workers. For the University community, students with field experiences in healthcare must follow the policies of the institution they visit.
Students living on campus who are diagnosed with a respiratory illness and have a roommate are encouraged to go home for their isolation. If unable to go home, they may isolate in place if their roommate agrees to this plan. Students should consult with and follow all directions of the Health Services staff regarding when to end their isolation. The student can wear a mask to go to dining to get their meals to-go. Any roommates, who would therefore be considered a known close contact, are encouraged to wear a mask around others.
If the sick student is unable to go home and the roommate does NOT agree to share the space, the student may request isolation housing on campus. A very limited number of spaces are available for on-campus isolation.
Athletes should follow any protocols mandated by the NCAA and Landmark Conference. Coaches and athletic department leadership will continue to communicate expectations.
Information for ¶¶ÒõÂþ» faculty and staff:
On March 1, 2024, the CDC updated its guidelines to consolidate COVID-19 with other respiratory viruses (like influenza and RSV).
The updates include:
Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache.
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
When you return to your normal activities, take added precautions over the next five days, such as wearing a high-quality mask. Please remember that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long or how sick you were.
If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are improving overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
Then, take added precautions for the next five days.
Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end self-isolation.
Screening testing of asymptomatic people without known exposures is no longer recommended in most community settings.
Note that physical distance is just one component of protecting yourself and others. When assessing the need to maintain physical distance, it is important to consider the risk in a particular setting, including local infection rates and the important role of ventilation.