Exposure and Isolation Guidelines for Students

COVID-19 exposure protocols

If you were exposed to COVID-19:

You should start wearing a mask as soon as you find out you were exposed.
You should continue to wear a mask while around others until at least 10 days after your most recent exposure. Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, which can develop up to 10 days after exposure.
It is strongly recommended that you take a COVID-19 test on day 5 after you were exposed
If you develop any symptoms, please isolate and take a COVID-19 test.
Additional information can be found on the CDC’s website

Free COVID-19 test kits

River Campus: Students can pick up a test kit 24/7 at no cost in the vending machine located in the outer lobby of the UHS River Campus location, or call the UHS office at (585) 275-2662 to request test kits as needed.
Eastman Campus: Test kits are also available during office hours at the Eastman School of Music UHS office.

Isolation guidelines

Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.

You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results. If your results are positive, follow the full isolation recommendations below. If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.

If you test positive and HAVE symptoms:

Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive.
Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started.

If you test positive and have NO symptoms:

Day 0 is the day you tested.
Day 1 is the first full day following the day you tested.
If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset.

Ending isolation

You may end isolation after day 5 if:

Your symptoms are improving and
You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication)

Please continue to wear a mask whenever you are around other people for an additional 5 days after ending isolation.

Refer to the CDC website for additional information

Guidelines for students living in on-campus housing

On-campus residential students who test positive will need to isolate in place (in their on-campus room/living space) and cannot leave the residence hall or building they live in for five days; however, a student can wear a mask to go to a dining location and pick up food to go COVID-positive students should not eat around others during isolation.

Roommates of COVID-positive students can remain in place/in their own room during a roommate’s isolation period, absent any risk factors for severe disease. It is suggested that healthy roommates wear a facemask whenever possible. Students who are at increased risk of severe illness if they test positive or share a room with a student who has tested positive should contact University Health Service at (585) 275-2662 to discuss housing and treatment options.

Guidelines for students living in off-campus housing

Students who live off-campus and who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate at their residence and follow the current COVID isolation protocol.

While you are no longer required to report your COVID positive test to University Health Service, you may contact UHS at (585) 275-2662 with any isolation questions, or if you have concerning symptoms.