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Isolation & Quarantine Guidelines

Last updated on June 16, 2023

Quarantine

If you have been exposed to COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine. Get tested 3-5 days after exposure and please wear a mask for 10 days.

Isolation 

If you test positive for COVID-19, you must report your positive test result and isolate yourself (stay home and away from others) for at least 5 days, to prevent spreading the disease to others. You may not attend in-person classes, or in-person work, during your isolation period.

After testing positive, you must isolate for 5 full days (Day 0 is the day you tested positive; Day 1 is the next day). 

You may end isolation ON Day 6 IF:

  • You have no symptoms, or your symptoms are mild and getting better; AND
  • You have not had a fever for 24 hours without taking medicine that lowers fevers.

Even if you are able to leave isolation on day 6, you should continue to wear a mask through Day 10 unless, after ending isolation, you have two negative antigen tests at least a day apart without a positive test in between. PLEASE NOTE: Per Cal/OSHA requirements, employees must wear face coverings, around others in the workplace, for the full 10 days

Important:  There are some situations where you should isolate longer than 5 days:

  • If you have a fever, do not end isolation until the fever has been gone for 24 hours (without using medicine that lowers fevers), OR
  • If your other symptoms are not improving, you should keep isolating until you feel better or until after Day 10.

You should notify people that you were in close contact with by calling, texting, or emailing them, or notify them anonymously through the Tell Your Contacts website. 

Here’s what to expect when a student tests positive for COVID-19 while living in on-campus housing*. 

*On-campus housing includes students with a housing contract through SCU. It does not include students in privately-owned off-campus housing.

Step 1: The student must report their positive test (PCR or rapid antigen) as soon as possible to the university by completing this SURVEY immediately.

Step 2: The student is contacted by a member of the SCU COVID Support Team to provide guidance for isolating in place and offer support, contacts, and resources. Isolation in University Housing will operate with an isolate-in-place model.

Step 3: The student is expected to stay in isolation in their residence hall and avoid physical contact with others until the determined isolation period is complete (between Day 6 and Day 10). Students or their roommates are also welcome to return home during this isolation period, if they can do so safely. The duration of isolation will be determined by how the students symptoms are progressing. 

Seeking Treatment for COVID-19

COVID-19 treatments are available! Talk with your primary care provider, an urgent care center, or a free telehealth provider today by visiting www.sesamecare.com/covidca or calling (833) 686-5051. 

Contacts

  • COVID Support: 408-554-5331
  • Cowell Health: 408-554-4501
  • Campus Safety: 408-554-4441
  • Housing Operations: 408-554-4900
  • Medical Emergency: 911