Quarantine and Isolation

three colorful Adirondack chairs outdoors near an abstract statue.
 

Quarantine and Isolation

Given the reduced severity of current COVID variant infections, mildness of the illness, and the vaccination status of our community, isolation policies have changed. Ill students will need to isolate in their current housing situations.

All members of the RIT community are expected to self-monitor for symptoms of any illness before coming to campus every day. If you are likely to spread illness, do not come to campus.

If You Test Positive

Students who test positive for COVID-19 should upload the test result or image of home test to the Student Health Center. You will receive self-care instructions for isolation which you may share with faculty or employers as needed. As is the case for all illness, there is access to our health professionals through telehealth and in-person services as needed. Currently, CDC and Monroe County Department of Public Health isolation is a minimum of five days, with day 0 as the day of symptom onset or positive test, whichever came first. Isolation may be longer if symptoms persist. Masking is recommended for an additional 5 days.

Housing

RIT is not providing separate isolation and quarantine housing for the spring semester. Students in RIT housing will remain in their residence hall room or apartment except to pick up food, use the restroom, or attend a medical appointment. If you are not comfortable staying in your residence space, you may return home or to an alternative location via private transportation. In this case, it may be helpful to consider your temporary housing options before the start of the semester, so you are prepared should you become positive.

Tell roommates and close contacts you have COVID-19, so they can take proactive steps to monitor their health.

While in isolation, or if you are too ill to attend class, please contact your faculty directly to make up for missed work. Your secure message from the Student Health Center can serve as an acknowledgment of your isolation time if required.

Wear a well-fitted mask at all times except when eating, sleeping or using bathroom facilities (e.g., showering, brushing teeth). N95, KN95 and KF94 masks are among those that provide the greatest protection.

Clean shared spaces, such as bathrooms and kitchens, immediately after use.

Students should notify the Student Health Center of their positive test result by completing the Positive COVID-19 Test Reporting form located in the My Forms section of the RIT Wellness Portal.

For students residing in campus housing who test positive or have a suspected case of COVID-19 or who are required to quarantine due to a high risk exposure, RIT will provide alternative housing if necessary to ensure adequate separation from the community for the duration of any isolation or quarantine period. Students who are required to isolate or quarantine will have access to telehealth and student health services. Faculty will work with students in isolation or quarantine to allow them to make academic progress.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and never develop symptoms:

  • You must isolate for 10 days. Day 0 is the day of your positive viral test (based on the date you were tested) and day 1 is the first full day after the specimen was collected for your positive test. 
  • If you continue to have no symptoms, you may end isolation after 5 days following a discussion with the Student Health Center (students) or your care provider (employees).
  • You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public until day 10.
  • Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask, such as restaurants and some gyms, and avoid eating around others at home and at work until 10 days after the day of your positive test.

If you develop symptoms after testing positive:

  • Your isolation period starts over. Day 0 is your first day of symptoms with reassessment of readiness to leave isolation on day 5.
  • You can end isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have significantly improved.
  • If you continue to have fever or your other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved.
  • You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public until day 10.
  • Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask, such as restaurants and some gyms, and avoid eating around others at home and at work until you have completed your isolation period.

If you are fully vaccinated OR are fully vaccinated and not yet eligible for a booster:

  • Quarantine is not required
  • Wear a well-fitting mask when around others even at home for 10 days
  • Get tested if you develop illness symptoms or fever
  • A test day 5 is recommended.  Students may contact the Student Health Center to arrange.

If you are not fully vaccinated or are fully vaccinated and eligible for a booster but haven’t yet received it:

  • Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19. The date of your exposure is considered day 0.
  • Wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home, if possible for a full 10 days (even if you test negative- see below).
  • You may get a test on or after day 5 and if that is negative, you may circulate in the community wearing a well-fitting mask.
  • For 10 days after your last close contact with someone with COVID-19, watch for fever (100.4◦F or greater), cough, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms .
  • If you develop symptoms, get tested immediately and isolate until you receive your test results. If you test positive, follow isolation recommendations.  
  • Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and nursing homes and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days.

Roommates of Isolating Students

Wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask at all times except when eating, sleeping or using bathroom facilities (e.g., showering, brushing teeth). Masks are widely available on campus.

Students living in shared bedrooms may request an air purifier to further improve ventilation. To request an air purifier, submit a Help Desk ticket.

Test yourself when you learn of the exposure and again in five days. Test immediately if you become symptomatic.

Clean shared surfaces regularly.

RIT is not providing separate isolation and quarantine housing. It may be helpful to consider your temporary housing options with your roommates before the start of the semester so you are prepared should any of you become positive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ask a friend or roommate to pick up food and bring it back to the room OR order food for take-out. If you do need to go out and get food wear a well-fitted mask and pick it up to bring back to the room. Once in private space, take off your mask and eat.

Students are responsible for notifying professors that they are unable to attend due to illness. For COVID isolation, the secure message sent by the health center may be shared if documentation is needed. Faculty will work with each student to ensure academic continuity.