Isolation

Please see below for Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 regarding isolation.

General

Who do I contact if I test positive?

Students who test positive for COVID-19, whether vaccinated or not, should immediately complete this form.

Employees who test positive for COVID-19, whether vaccinated or not, should immediately complete this form.

What are the requirements for isolation and how long does it last?

Isolation is five full days following the date of first symptoms or the positive test date if no symptoms. This is followed by strict mask use around others for an additional five days. For those additional five days, this includes not eating around others. Completing isolation is contingent upon all symptoms having improved and being fever free for 24-hours without the aid of medication.

Until the isolation period is over, these requirements must be followed:

Stay in your residence except for medical reasons.
Wear a mask around others and stay at least six feet away from others.
Do not enter buildings or attend any gatherings.
Have your food delivered.
Don’t share items with anyone.
Do not host visitors.
If you experience any severe symptoms, please call 911 as these symptoms should be treated by emergency care professionals.

What if I have been a close contact of someone who has tested positive?

Individuals who are a primary contact with a known positive individual are recommended to get tested 3-5 days after exposure. Quarantine is no longer required.

A primary contact is defined as someone who was within six feet of a confirmed positive individual for a minimum of 15 minutes, regardless of face covering usage.

Students

Where will isolated residential students be housed?

Residential students who test positive for COVID-19 will be relocated to a designated residence hall. They will also have the option to return home for the isolation period.

If a residential student must isolate, what should they bring with them to their temporary isolation room?

A student who must isolate should plan to bring the following items with them to their temporary isolation room:

Pillow
Blanket
Sheets (size twin extra long)
Towels and wash cloth
Toiletries and related necessary supplies
Clothes (enough for ten days and detergent to wash clothes)
Prescription medicines
Charge cords and electronics (note that students are responsible for moving their own electronics)
Laptop, textbooks, work, and related supplies
Thermometer and oximeter to monitor health conditions

*Dishes, mugs, silverware, and detergent to wash dishes
*Snacks, coffee, tea, soup
**Over the counter medicines such as cough drops, Tylenol, vitamin C, and Zinc
*Optional because meals will be delivered.
** Recommended based on over the counter med needs/choices.

How will residential students living in an isolation room acquire food?

Meals will be delivered three times each day to students living in an isolation room.

If a residential student must isolate, what will be included in the room?

Rooms in the designated isolation residence hall or Drake property are equipped with a bed, lamp, microwave, refrigerator, and Wi-Fi.

If I am a student who resides off campus and test positive, or someone living in my house or apartment tests positive, will the University provide on-campus or off-campus isolation housing?

No. The residence hall and campus properties designated for this purpose will only be made available to on-campus residential students who need to isolate.