COVID-19 Guidance

The CDC has updated the recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

As part of the guidance, CDC provides active recommendations on core prevention steps and strategies:

  • Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
  • Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
  • Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.

If you have respiratory virus symptoms

If you have respiratory virus symptoms stay home and away from others. 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).

The CDC website has several examples of when you should return to normal activities.

When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

  • Keep in mind 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 you were sick 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 precaution for the next 5 days. 

Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.

Monitor your health

All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are encouraged to wear a high-quality mask when around others and in indoor spaces if experiencing respiratory symptoms, even mild symptoms. Masks are available at the Student Health Center free of charge. 

  • At home rapid antigen test kits for COVID are available at the Student Health Center free of charge. 
  • The Student Health Center can also perform diagnostic COVID and flu testing free of charge on symptomatic students. 

Students should work professors, supervisors, and coaches directly regarding any absences due to respiratory illness.

Face Coverings

Masks are generally not required to be worn on campus.

  • While at the Student Health Center for a health or counseling appointment, students with respiratory symptoms (sore throat, cough, nasal congestion) will be required to wear a mask.
  • Some members of our campus community may choose to wear a mask for a variety of reasons. As a mask friendly campus, we respect and encourage individual decisions regarding personal health and safety.

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