What to Do If: You Test Positive and Live in a Residence Hall

If you are notified of a positive test result, you should immediately return to your residence hall room. You will soon be moved to a separate space to begin your isolation. Please stay calm and use the following guidance.

OVERVIEW

You will first be notified by a telephone call or student notification email, which will be sent to your MIX email.

If you test positive outside of the University  process you are required to let the University know you have tested positive for COVID-19 at PSCstudentexperience@mail.wvu.edu 

During this time, we ask that you stay calm and use the following guidance. As a member of the community, it is critical that you take these necessary measures to keep everyone safe. You are expected to follow all University rules and policies. 

At this time, you should avoid contact with others for at least 5 days after your testing date, as directed by the local health department. This is called isolation. You should immediately return to your residence hall room. Soon, you will move to our isolation spaces in Davis Hall to begin your isolation period. You should not go to class or be on campus outside of your place of isolation during this time, and you must remain in isolation until you are medically cleared. 

You must remain in isolation until the following criteria are met:

• You are at least 5 full days from symptom onset and those symptoms have significantly improved, AND
• You have been fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.
• Persons who continue to have fevers and/or symptoms that do not improve within 5 days should remain in isolation until they meet the two criteria described above.
• Persons who test positive who never develop symptoms may discontinue self-isolation 5 days after the date of their first positive test.

After completing your isolation period, wear a well-fitted face mask for an additional 5 days when around other people, practice social distancing when possible and avoid large social gatherings.

If you fail to comply with this isolation requirement, you will be subject to disciplinary action through the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, which may include interim suspension, educational requirements, removal from courses, a campus ban in designated areas, removal from residence halls, University probation, deferred suspension, suspension or expulsion.

What’s the difference between isolation and quarantine?

The University uses the terms “isolation” and “quarantine” for those who have COVID-19 related matters.

Isolation is avoiding contact with others for at least 5 days after your testing date, as directed by the local health department. If you live in a residence hall, you will move to on campus spaces identified as isolation spaces. You should not be on campus for class or work at any point during this period, and you must remain in isolation until you are medically cleared. You are likely in isolation due to a positive COVID-19 test result.

Quarantine is avoiding contact with others to the furthest extent possible for at least 5 days, as directed by the local health department. You should not be on campus for class or work at any point during this period. You are likely in quarantine because you’ve been considered a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

BEFORE ISOLATION

• You will be contacted by the Mineral County Health Department and/or the Dean of Student Experience Office and provided isolation guidelines, medical guidance and begin contact tracing efforts. 
• Please be prepared to provide accurate information for the contact tracing process so we can work quickly to notify close contacts (those who have been within 6 feet of you for more than 15 minutes) and mitigate further spread of COVID-19. It may help to review your calendar and travel to remember locations and close contacts. If it helps, write this down so you can give the most accurate picture to those conducting the contact tracing process.
• We know that during this time you may tell those who are determined to be close contacts that you have tested positive for COVID-19. Those people may very well receive information to quarantine as a result of the contact tracing process, but we ask that you and those close contacts allow time for us to accurately conduct contact tracing and alert them on their next steps.
• A representative from Housing and Residence Life will contact you to provide resources for your personal and care needs.
• You will receive information that includes the isolation process, a packing list and instructions to move from your residence hall to our isolation spaces.
• Your Resident Hall Coordinator will be notified that you have a COVID-19 related situation that requires you to isolate, and they will be provided with information that can be helpful to you and your peers around you.
• If you have a roommate/suitemates, they will receive email notification that they are expected to quarantine for at least 5 days. If your roommate/suitemates have been fully vaccinated, they will not be required to quarantine.
• You will receive a phone call from a Housing and Residence Life representative to identify any special needs or accommodations you may need during your isolation period. They will also confirm with you a pick-up time for you and your belongings to be transported to our isolation spaces. 
• If you decide to leave campus for your isolation period, you must notify the Residence Life and Housing representative. You will be provided additional guidance for this situation.
• You will be responsible for notifying your professors.

Packing List

• Clothes for at least two weeks.
• All your academic resources: books, pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, camera, headphones, etc.
• Computer and necessary electronics; don’t forget charging cords, etc.
• Prescriptions and other daily medications.
• Toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash or soap, shampoo, deodorant, razor, brush/comb and hair dryer.
• Bring you linens, pillows, etc.
• Any personal protective equipment that you have, including masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting spray.

Reminders

• You cannot return to your hall until you are released from isolation.
• Remember, this is temporary and not a FULL move to the isolation space. 

DURING ISOLATION

• Once you arrive at the isolation location, you will be notified of your room and be provided once again with a cart to move your belongings into your isolation space. You will also be provided keys and linens.
• You will be provided with daily meal options, provided by Dining Services. You will be given more information on meal orders and pick up.
• You will receive daily check-in phone calls/emails from the CARE Team or other Student Experience representatives.
• If symptoms worsen:
• You should contact Student Health via phone at 304-788-6913 or contact your primary care physician. 
• If you are having breathing problems, extremely high body temperature or other acute symptoms, you should call 911. Please let them know that you are in isolation for COVID-19 and make sure to wear a mask/face covering if emergency medical services attend to you in any way.

AFTER ISOLATION

The Mineral County Health Department and University will work together to make sure you meet CDC criteria before releasing you from isolation. You must meet the criteria of at least 5 days in isolation after your positive test, plus improvement in symptoms and no fever for 24 hours (without using fever reducing medication) as long as the illness is mild to moderate. Student Experience and/or the Mineral County Health Department will notify you that you have met the criteria to return to their assigned residence hall and class.

• You will receive a phone call from a representative from Housing & Residence Life with information on leaving your isolation space and returning to your residence hall. You will coordinate a transportation time, and this representative will give you information on how to check out of your isolation space.
• There is a chance that you would return from your isolation period prior to the completion of your roommate’s quarantine. In this scenario, it’s important to note that you and your roommate would not pose a great risk of infection to one another.