University of Mary Washington

Return to Campus — Fall 2022

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Isolation and Quarantine Guidance

Regardless of vaccination status, if you test positive for COVID-19:

  • Isolate at home (or in an isolation space) for five days from onset of symptoms (or from date of test if you are asymptomatic) and avoid contact with others.
  • On Day 5 (with date of positive test being Day 0), if your symptoms have resolved, you may retest with a rapid antigen test. If negative, you may leave your home/isolation space, but must mask around others for five additional days. If you cannot mask while around others (including sleeping), you will need to return to isolation for sleeping.
  • If at Day 5 you test positive, still have a fever, or your symptoms aren’t resolving, remain in full isolation and avoid contact with others.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are up to date on your vaccinations,

  • Mask around others for ten days from the date of exposure (date of exposure being Day 0).
  • Test on Day 5, if possible.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and you are unvaccinated or are not up to date on your vaccines,

  • Quarantine for five days from date of exposure and avoid others.
  • After the initial five days, wear a mask while around others for an additional five days.
  • Test on Day 5, if possible
  • If you live with someone who is positive, you will need to quarantine, but your five-day clock does not start until your last exposure. It is important to separate completely, if possible, to avoid extended time in quarantine.

What does it mean to be up to date on vaccinations?

  • Being up to date means that you have received all vaccine doses for which you are eligible
    • Fully vaccinated is defined by CDC as having received all of the primary doses for a particular vaccine (1 dose of J&J or two doses of Pfizer or Moderna). You can be fully vaccinated, but not up to date if you are eligible for a booster but haven’t received it.
    • Boosters can be administered five months after the second primary dose of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. They can also be administered two months after the primary dose of Johnson & Johnson.

What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?

Isolation

Isolation is the separation of someone who is ill with or has tested positive for COVID-19 from people who are not sick. Students in on-campus housing must be relocated from their residence hall room during isolation to minimize the risk of spread to peers in their hall.

Quarantine

Quarantine is the separation of someone exposed to a COVID-positive individual from those who are not sick or exposed, in case the exposed person becomes sick or tests positive for COVID-19. Students in on-campus housing must be relocated from their residence hall room during quarantine to minimize the risk of spread to peers in their hall.

Do I need a plan for isolation and quarantine?

All students living on campus should have an isolation and quarantine plan. We recommend that students who can travel safely in a private vehicle conduct their period of isolation in their home. For all other residential students, UMW has identified isolation and quarantine spaces in Marshall Hall which will be made available at no additional cost to our students for the duration of their quarantine/isolation period.

All students living off-campus are strongly encouraged to have an isolation and quarantine plan. UMW will not provide isolation or quarantine housing or meal service for off-campus students or those who have remained in their permanent residence. Campus support services will be available virtually.

How will I be supported if I am in isolation or quarantine (for students)?

A variety of peer and staff-led supports are available for students in isolation and quarantine:

The Student Health Center is available if you are experiencing severe symptoms and need periodic check-ins. You can set up a check-in plan with Student Health Center by calling 540-654-1040.

The Talley Center is available to provide mental health resources and counseling services Students can request an appointment by (540) 654-1053 between the hours of 8-5 pm, Monday-Friday.

We recognize that this is an anxiety-provoking time and we encourage students and members of the UMW community to reach out to friends, family, or colleagues when in isolation or quarantine.

The following resources remain available for 24/7 support:

Campus Messages