If you test positive for COVID
We are sorry that you are not feeling well and tested positive for COVID-19. We want to make sure you understand your responsibilities at this time and the resources available to you. If you live off campus, you will isolate in your off-campus housing or at home. Students who live on campus and can travel home via private vehicle are encouraged to isolate at home. For those students not able to isolate at home, they will isolate-in-place in their designated campus room.
Isolate in Place
- As a student, if you test positive for COVID-19, we ask you to contact the Health Center so a member of our staff can follow up with you.
- Monitor your health. Please call or email the Health Center at (413) 748-3175 or healthcenter@springfield.edu with any questions. If on campus, for any urgent or emergent issues, please call Public Safety at (413)748-5555.
- You must isolate in place, remaining in your assigned residence.
- You should avoid close contact with anyone outside of your room. You may not have visitors.
- You are to remain in your assigned room except to use the bathroom, pick up food, or for isolated outdoor time.
- When you are out of your assigned room, you are required to wear a well-fitting mask (like a medical mask or KN95 mask) except when you are showering, bathing, brushing teeth, shaving, and sleeping.
- Consider showering and using the bathrooms during less busy times.
- You should not attend class. Reach out to your professors to make plans for navigating your academic work while you are in isolation.
- You should not go to work (either on or off campus).
- You should not attend any social or extracurricular activities, including athletics or club/organization meetings.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
- You may spend time outdoors but are encouraged to physically distance at least 6 feet from others.
- Dining:
- You may do grab-and-go from Cheney Hall or the Flynn Campus Union, but you must wear a high-quality mask when entering the building to pick up meals.
- Do not sit and eat in Cheney or the Campus Union.
- You may utilize contactless delivery options (DoorDash, Grubhub, Instacart, etc).
Duration of Isolation
Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for five days after their symptoms first appear (the day symptoms start is day zero).
- Students may exit isolation and return to classes and activities on day six if their symptoms have improved and they are fever-free for 24 hours without taking medication to suppress the fever.
- Students are not required to test negative or receive permission from the Health Center to exit isolation.
- Students are encouraged to use grab-and-go dining and wear a medical-quality mask when outside of their room for a full 10 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.
Strategies for Minimizing Contact with Your Roommate
- Keep 6 feet of distance as much as possible.
- Arrange the room and beds so that the heads of those sleeping are as far apart as possible.
- Open the window as long as weather permits.
- Please work to communicate with each other to respect each other’s needs.
If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19
If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you do not need to be quarantined as long as you remain asymptomatic, regardless of your vaccination status. You are encouraged to wear a mask around others for 10 days following your exposure.
If you were exposed and develop symptoms at any time, isolate and take a test. Testing for symptomatic students is available by appointment at the Health Center. Students may call for an appointment at (413) 748-3175.
Symptom Management
- Most people with COVID-19 will have mild symptoms and will be able to stay home or in self-isolation while they recover.
- Mild symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter medication for fever, cough and congestion.
- Manage your symptoms the way you would a typical illness.
- Do not take any medication to which you have a known allergy.
- Examples of self-care medications:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) per package instructions for management of fever, headache, sore throat, aches and pains.
- Honey and lemon for a cough.
- Over-the-counter medications like Delsym or Robitussin can help with coughing.
- Over-the-counter decongestants like Sudafed for nasal congestion.
- Be cautious in mixing medications as some have multiple ingredients.
- It is important to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.
- If you experience severe symptoms (difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, inability to wake up or stay awake, bluish lips or face) seek immediate medical evaluation.
- If you are on campus and feel you need medical evaluation, please call the Health Center at (413) 748-3175. If the Health Center is closed and you feel you need medical evaluation you may seek care at an off campus medical facility .
- For any on-campus emergency, please contact Public Safety at (413) 748-5555. For any off-campus medical emergency, call *911.
Antiviral Treatment
- Antiviral medications are available for those that are at high risk for severe complications from COVID-19.
- You may be eligible for treatment with an antiviral medication if you have a medical condition that is associated with a higher risk for severe COVID-19..
- If you have any of these medical conditions, please contact your primary care provider or the Health Center to discuss further.
- If you do not have a primary care provider, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health provides treatment options for people.
