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  1. Whitworth University
  2. COVID-19
  3. Information for Students
  4. COVID-19 Isolation Guidelines - Positive Test with Symptoms

COVID-19 Isolation Guidelines for Students - Positive Test with Symptoms

(Day 0 is day of positive test)

When to Start Isolation

  • With onset of COVID-19 symptoms (be sure you have tested)

Where to Isolate

  • At home
  • In your residence hall
  • In an isolation residence hall (only if directed by health services or residence life staff)

Additionally:

  • Isolate regardless of your vaccination status
  • Separate as much as possible from others (including roommates)
  • Use a separate bathroom, if available—if shared bathroom space, wipe the area thoroughly after each use
  • Do not go to school, work, or public areas except for medical care (see how to obtain meals below)
  • Do not travel—for travel guidance see the CDC's travel webpage
  • Take steps to improve ventilation at home or in your residence space, if possible
  • Do not share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils
  • Monitor your symptoms—if you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing) seek emergency medical care immediately
  • Avoid use of public transportation
  • Wear a high-quality mask (e.g., N95 or KN95) for five days of isolation and five days after isolation ends (Day 6-Day 10)
    OR
    If you have access to antigen tests, you should consider using them Days 6-10. With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10.
    Note: If your antigen test results are positive, you may still be infectious. You should continue wearing a mask and wait at least 48 hours before taking another test. Continue taking antigen tests at least 48 hours apart until you have two sequential negative results. This may mean you need to continue wearing a mask and testing beyond day 10.
  • Avoid anyone who is immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease

When to End Isolation

  • Five full days after symptom onset (Day 6) 
    Isolation and Quarantine Calculator WA DOH
    AND
  • If fever free (no fever reducing medicines) for 24 hours
    AND
  • Symptoms improving (loss of taste and smell may persist but does not delay the end of isolation)
  • Wear a high-quality mask (e.g., N95 or KN95) for five days after isolation ends (Day 6-Day 10)
  • If symptoms are not improving, continue isolation until the above conditions are met.
  •  If you have moderate illness (you experience shortness of breath or breathing difficulty), isolate through Day 10
  •  If you have serious illness (you have been hospitalized), contact your healthcare provider before ending isolation 

How to Obtain Meals While Isolating

(Always alert others that contactless delivery is needed)

  • Ask others to do your shopping or use a grocery delivery service
  • Use DoorDash, GrubHub, or other meal delivery services
  • Access meals from Sodexo (breakfast, lunch, dinner) via the Reusable Container Program

Notifying Close Contacts

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you must notify any close contacts (a close contact is someone you have been around, less than six feet away for a combined total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.)

How to notify close contacts:

  • Talk to them directly
  • Use anonymous close contact exposure notification systems
    • Use the Tell Your Contacts notification system, an anonymous online tool, and send a text or email
  • Tell your professors if you were in a classroom setting and had close contacts

Reporting Your Positive Test

  • If you test positive, please report your positive (or negative) COVID-19 status at the following link. The process takes approximately 2-3 minutes.
    Say Yes! COVID Test Digital Assistant
    Reporting to the State of Washington is a way for public health entities to know the incidence and prevalence of COVID-19 in the state. It is also a way for the state to provide supports when and where needed.
  • It is the student's responsibility to notify their faculty of any illness, including COVID-19, that may impact their ability to participate in class in any way.

Other Actions/Information

  • If you have high-risk roommates (immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease) and no private space or bathroom, consider use of an isolation residence space if on campus—please contact health services at 509.777.3259 or residence life and housing at 509.777.4533 for information and assistance.
  • Use cleaning supplies to wipe down multi-user surfaces (e.g. bathroom).

Reusable Container Program

(Reusable To-Go Program)

How to Use the Sodexo Reusable Container Program for Meals During Isolation

Option One (Preferred)

Have your friends get a meal for you.

  • Wipe down your campus card first.
  • Give your campus card to your friend to purchase a meal. If you can do this contactless, that is best.
  • If you are purchasing from one of the campus coffeeshops or the café, your friend will simply use your card to pay for the meal.
  • If you are purchasing a to-go meal from the dining hall, your friend will access the Reusable Container Program. Your friend will:
    • Purchase the reusable to-go container program for $5.
      • This is a one-time purchase unless you lose the to-go container or carabiner.
        A carabiner can be used as a placeholder when you don't want to carry a container around. The carabiner lets Sodexo staff know you are enrolled in the program.
        Please let us know if you need monetary assistance for this purchase—see contact email below.
    • Scan your campus card.
    • Get food from any station in the dining hall and place in the to-go container.
    • Deliver the food to you in isolation through contactless delivery.
  • For your next meal, your friend will:
    • Return the wiped down container to the dining hall in exchange for a new container for your meal or a carabiner, as a placeholder, for the next meal you choose.
      Please be aware, if the person picking up your meal is eating in the dining hall, they will need to eat first, then scan your card and get your meal. They are unable to sit in the dining room with a reusable to-go container.

Option Two

Get your own meals.

  • Please wear your high-quality mask (e.g., N95 or KN95) when you go to pick up your food.
  • Keep your distance from others when possible.
  • Follow the steps above in Option One to purchase the Reusable Container Program and get your meal to-go.
  • Please exit the dining facilities immediately after obtaining your food and return to your place of residence.

For more information about the Reusable Container Program, please email dking@whitworth.edu.

Information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at CDC COVID-19, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) at DOH COVID-19, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests.