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What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19?
Any COVID-19 symptoms are assumed to be due to COVID-19 and are treated as such until a medical professional determines otherwise.
If you are symptomatic or test positive, you should:
- Go home immediately to self-isolate.
- Report the illness by completing this form.
- Notify your faculty members and they will work with you to develop a list of individuals in your courses that you may have had close contact with. Faculty members will report that information to the University to begin the contact tracing process.
- Students in campus housing should contact their Resident Assistant for assistance.
- Contact your primary care provider via phone to determine the need for testing for COVID-19. If you do not have a primary care provider, contact University Health at (208) 282-2330 (Idaho Falls, Pocatello or Twin Falls) or Unity Health (208) 895-6729 (Meridian)
- Follow the recommendations provided by your healthcare provider.
- Participate in contact tracing and follow recommendations provided by the local health department or University COVID-19 Health Committee.
I have tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms and didn’t get tested. When can I return to usual activities including on campus activities?
| Symptomatic (you are ill) (Positive or no COVID-19 Test) | Asymptomatic (you have no symptoms) (Positive COVID-19 Test) |
|---|---|
| Maintain Isolation Until: at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND 3 days with no fever AND respiratory symptoms have markedly improved (e.g. cough, shortness of breath) |
Maintain Isolation Until: 10 days have passed since the test was performed |
What if I had close contact with person A who had close contact with person B who has COVID-19?
Person A is a primary contact. You are considered a secondary contact. Secondary contacts may continue usual activities with strict adherence to basic COVID-19 prevention measures including strict mask wearing, physical distancing, and handwashing. Secondary contacts should closely monitor for any symptoms. If Person A develops symptoms, you are now a primary contact and you need to quarantine. If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19 you should immediately self-isolate and seek medical care.
Example: Sally attended an outdoor barbeque on Friday with Fred. Sally spent 20 minutes standing next to Fred helping him with dishes after the barbeque (i.e. close contact with Fred). Fred learned on Saturday that his friend Mary has COVID-19. Fred had close contact with Mary on Thursday. Sally had no contact with Mary at any time. Fred is a primary contact and needs to quarantine for 14 days. Sally is a secondary contact and needs to monitor for symptoms and wait to learn if Fred develops symptoms or tests positive. She may continue usual activities with strict adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures. If Fred develops symptoms within 72 hours of the barbeque, Sally should quarantine and follow guidelines because she is now a primary contact.
What should I do if I believe I was exposed to COVID-19?
Exposure means you were closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes to someone with known COVID-19 or someone with symptoms of COVID-19 You should consider yourself a possible primary contact and follow CDC guidelines:
Quarantine yourself
- Report the exposure by completing the COVID-19 exposure form
- Contact ISU Health Center at (208) 282-2330 (Idaho Falls, Pocatello or Twin Falls) or Unity Health (208) 895-6729 (Meridian) or contact your primary care provider via phone to determine if you should be tested.
- Stay home until 14 days after last exposure and maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from all others during that time.
Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 by checking temperature twice a day, and watching for fever (100.4 ℉ or higher), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms using the CDC Self-Checker Tool. Especially avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19
Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop and refer to What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19?
Where on campus do I have to wear a face covering?
Face coverings should be worn in all shared or public spaces such as common work areas, hallways, meeting rooms, classrooms, research labs, when meeting with someone in a private office, etc. Face coverings should also be used outdoors when in the presence of other individuals. For students living in University Housing, face coverings should be worn anytime you leave your room. This includes common spaces such as lounges, elevators, and dining halls.
Will students be notified if a student in their classroom has tested positive for COVID-19?
Contact tracing will be performed for positive cases in the campus community. Individuals determined to have had close contact with the positive person will be notified by the Health Department and/or University-based contact tracers and instructed to quarantine. If local or university health officials determine the risk to be significant, widespread notification will take place facilitated by the University COVID-19 Health Committee.
If physical distancing and appropriate face covering use is maintained throughout the entire class period, individuals in the class will likely not need to quarantine.
Are students able to sign up for a HyFlex courses and never intend to come to an in-person class?
Yes, students can sign up for a HyFlex course and never intend to come to class.
What should I do if a member of my household was exposed to someone who has COVID-19?
If a member of your household had close contact with a known COVID-19 patient, that person should quarantine at home for 14 days and avoid contact with the rest of the household as much as possible. They should use a separate bathroom, wear a face covering, and avoid the use of shared utensils and household items. If this person tests positive or develops symptoms, you must follow the guidance provided under “What should I do if I was exposed to someone with COVID-19?”
Will classrooms be set up with 6-feet distancing?
Yes, seats will be marked with a Bengal Paw to indicate where you can sit to maintain social distancing. Excess furniture will remain in the room, due to limited storage capacity for excess furniture. Some rooms have fixed seats, or seats connected to the desk. A Bengal Paw will indicate where to sit. There will also be diagrams at the podium showing where to sit in case rooms get moved around.
Will classrooms be sanitized in between classes?
No. Each classroom will undergo nightly cleaning and a comprehensive cleaning every 72 hours. Hand sanitizers will be located at room entrances at each classroom with a protocol for all students and faculty to use them when entering and leaving the room. Faculty are asked to wipe down podiums, microphones, keyboards, etc. after each classroom use.