COVID Test Result Guidance

For Positive COVID-19 Test Results

Follow the CDC guidelines for self-isolation: Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC
You SHOULD isolate for a minimum of five (5) days after the date of the positive test AND you must be fever free for twenty-four (24) hours without the use of fever reducing medications in order to be released from isolation (whichever is longer).
Wear a mask for ten (10) full days from positive test date. Wear a high-quality mask if you need to leave the designated room. Avoid leaving the room unless there is an emergency, or you are getting medical care. Be sure to cover both the mouth and nose with the mask.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or the inside/crook of your elbow. Dispose properly of tissues in a lined trash can. Wash your hands immediately after.
It is important not to contaminate objects that others may touch. Always wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Once you have tested positive, you must complete the isolation period regardless of the results of further testing. In case of an emergency, call 911.

All Students:

Stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home.
Notify household contacts of the potential for them being a “close contact”. Close contacts should follow the COVID-19 exposure guidelines found at What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 | CDC.
Do not share any eating or kitchen utensils with other people in your home. Do not share bedding or towels. Be sure to wash thoroughly with soap and water after each use.

Students who are in University Housing:

Plan to go to your permanent residence as soon as possible after receiving test results. You may not remain in University Housing for your isolation period.

Students WITHOUT an active campus meal plan:

Have a family member, friend or roommate deliver food to your isolation space.
If unable to have someone deliver meals, wear a high-quality mask while picking up meals. Limit the time you spend around others by picking up to-go meals.
If using shared space for cooking, limit the time you spend preparing meals and use the space when it is unoccupied.

Students WITH an active campus meal plan:

Have a family member, friend or roommate deliver food from university dining to your isolation space (individual must present the impacted student ID upon checking into the dining center, sign-in at the register, and use the carry-out option only). Only available at residential dining locations.
If unable to have someone deliver meals, wear a high-quality mask while picking up meals. Limit the time you spend around others by picking up your carry-out meal from the dining center.
If using shared space for cooking, limit the time you spend preparing meals and use the space when it is unoccupied.

Wear your mask whenever possible. Limit the time you spend around others. If possible, find times to use the shared space when it is unoccupied or low occupancy.

Positive at home test:

Student Health Services will no longer accept uploaded positive at home COVID-19 tests for issuance of an isolation letter.
Students who test positive with a home COVID-19 test may elect to follow the self-isolation guidelines as described in this document.

Positive Licensed Lab Test:

If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result from Student Health Services or other licensed lab (ie. Hospital, urgent care, pharmacy, COVID-19 testing center), you can request to be excused from classes for the duration of your isolation period.
Positive results from a licensed lab must be uploaded to the Student Health Services Portal and must contain the students name, date of birth, date of test, and test result in order to receive an isolation letter.
Positive test results obtained at Student Health Services will automatically be issued an isolation letter.

Notification to Instructors:

To have your instructors notified of your excused absence, upload the isolation letter that appears in your patient health portal to the Report an Absence portal on the Dean of Students Office website. If you have questions about the excused absence notification process, call the Dean of Students Office at (309) 438-2008.

Wear a high-quality mask any time you are around others inside your home or indoors in pubic for ten (10) days after last exposure.
Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask, including travel and public transportation settings.
Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
If you have new symptoms or your symptoms are not improving, please make an appointment with a medical provider. Call to make an appointment at Student Health Services with a provider at (309) 438-2778 or make an appointment on-line.

If you have new symptoms or your symptoms are not improving, please make an appointment with a medical provider. Call to make an appointment at Student Health Services with a provider at (309) 438-2778 or make an appointment on-line.