Despite everyone's best efforts—including campuswide vaccination policy-compliance—some members of the CWRU community will test positive for COVID-19. Below are descriptions of how the university responds to different circumstances involving infection and exposure, and what kinds of notifications and direction faculty, staff and students can expect.
Jump to Information for Students
For Faculty/Staff
Student(s) in In-Person Class/Lab Test(s) Positive
| Is the class or lab 251 people or fewer? | |
|---|---|
| No |
Yes |
|
If the student is an undergraduate, you will hear from a navigator that the student will be in isolation for 10 days and unable to attend class. If the student is a graduate or professional student, a representative from the Office of the Dean of Students and/or a designee from the school or college in which the course resides. You may also hear from the student directly. You will not hear from health services unless aspects of that class or lab indicate that you need to take additional action (e.g., such as being tested). Once you know the identity of the student(s), please do all you can to help this student remain current in class. The class is expected to continue in person. |
You and the students in the class will be notified via email from Health Services that an individual has tested positive for COVID-19. Depending on the specifics of the situation, this message will provide guidance regarding next steps. In general, fully vaccinated students will not have to quarantine, but instead directed to:
The message also will direct those who are not fully vaccinated to email c19testing@case.edu for additional guidance. If the student who tested positive is an undergraduate, you also will hear from a navigator, and may hear from the student. Once you know the identity of the student(s), please do all you can to help this student remain current in class. If the student is a graduate or professional student, a representative from the Office of the Dean of Students and/or a designee from the school or college in which the course resides. The class is expected to continue in person. If you live with an unvaccinated family member at home please refer to this guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Protection. |
Individual in Department, Research Lab or Other Enclosed Setting Tests Positive
| Has Health Services determined that the nature and duration of interaction with the positive individual requires action?2 | |
|---|---|
| No |
Yes |
| You will not receive a notification. |
You will be notified via email from Health Services that someone in your work area has tested positive for COVID-19. Depending on the specifics of the situation, this message will provide guidance regarding next steps. In general, fully vaccinated students will not have to quarantine, but instead directed to:
The message also will direct those who are not fully vaccinated to email c19testing@case.edu for additional guidance. |
Individual You Supervise Tests Positive
| Has Health Services determined that the nature of your exposure to that individual requires notification?2 | |
|---|---|
| No |
Yes |
|
You will not receive a notification from Health Services, but the employee and/or Human Resources will contact you. You should not disclose the specific reason for this employee’s absence from work. |
You will be notified via email from Health Services that your employee has tested positive for COVID-19. Depending on the specifics of the situation, this message will provide guidance regarding next steps. In general, fully vaccinated students will not have to quarantine, but instead directed to:
The message also will direct those who are not fully vaccinated to email c19testing@case.edu for additional guidance. You should not disclose the specific reason for this employee’s absence from work. |
| Is the individual fully vaccinated (two weeks from final dose)? | |
| No |
Yes |
|
If the individual is a staff member, the individual may use available sick time. If the sick time expires while the individual is still in isolation the individual will not receive compensation. If the individual is a faculty member, the individual should notify the chair (or if not in a department, other appropriate supervisor) of the required 10-day absence. If the faculty member needs to remain off campus for a significantly longer period, Faculty Handbook guidance applies. Decisions regarding changes in instructional modalities reside with the dean of the relevant school or college. |
If the individual is a staff member, the individual may use available sick time. If the sick time expires while the individual is still in isolation the individual will continue to receive additional sick time until end of the isolation period. If the individual is a faculty member, the individual should notify the chair (or if not in a department, other appropriate supervisor) of the required 10-day absence. If the faculty member needs to remain off campus for a significantly longer period, Faculty Handbook guidance applies. Decisions regarding changes in instructional modalities reside with the dean or the relevant school or college. |
You Test Positive
| Did you take your test at the university? | |
|---|---|
| No |
Yes |
|
Please contact your primary care provider for guidance specific to your situation (e.g., vaccination status, health conditions, prior infection, etc.). Please also notify Health Services that you have tested positive so that staff can determine what additional campus notifications may be needed. Finally, please let your supervisor/chair/program director know of your positive test result and 10-day absence from campus for isolation. |
Health Services will call you to answer questions and determine what additional campus notifications may be needed. Please contact your primary care provider for guidance specific to your situation (e.g., vaccination status, health conditions, prior infection, etc.) Also, please let your supervisor/chair/program director know of your positive test result and 10-day absence from campus for isolation. |
1 In some instances, a class may be slightly larger (e.g, 26-30) and receive a notification based on additional information obtained through contact tracing.
2 In settings other than classrooms, Health Services determines the need for notification based on the nature and length of the interaction (duration, close or more distant contact, masks worn, etc.)
For Students
A CWRU Student You Know Tests Positive
|
Is the individual your roommate, suitemate, significant other or someone else at CWRU with whom you have extended close contact? |
|
|---|---|
| No |
Yes |
| In general, you will not be notified, unless Health Services identifies some aspect of the infected student’s interactions that indicates you need to take action (e.g., take a COVID-19 test, monitor closely for symptoms for 14 days, etc.). |
If the information that Health Services gathers from the student who tested positive indicate that you need to take specific action, you will receive a message directing you to:
The message also will direct those who are not fully vaccinated to email c19testing@case.edu for additional guidance. You are not expected to take any other action. |
Individual in One of Your Classes/Labs Tests Positive
| Does the class/lab have 251 or fewer students? | |
|---|---|
| No |
Yes |
|
You will not hear from health services unless aspects of that class or lab indicate that you need to take additional action (e.g., such as being tested). You should continue attending your in-person classes and/or labs. |
You and the students in the class will be notified via email from Health Services that an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 and you may have been exposed. Depending on the specifics of the situation, this message will provide guidance regarding next steps. In general, fully vaccinated students will not have to quarantine, but instead directed to
The message also will direct those who are not fully vaccinated to email c19testing@case.edu for additional guidance. You should continue attending your in-person classes and/or labs. |
Individual with whom you interact regularly (in your student organization, on your team, at an ongoing meeting or event) tests positive
| Has Health Services determined that the nature of your exposure to that individual requires notification?2 | |
|---|---|
| No |
Yes |
|
You will not hear from health services unless staff determine that others’ ongoing interactions (in the organization, on the team, etc.) indicate a need for you to take action (such as taking a COVID-19 test) |
You will be notified via email from Health Services that an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 and you may have been exposed. Depending on the specifics of the situation, this message will provide guidance regarding next steps. In general, fully vaccinated students will not have to quarantine, but instead directed to:
The message also will direct those who are not fully vaccinated to email c19testing@case.edu for additional guidance. You should continue attending your in-person classes and/or labs. |
1 In some instances, a class may be slightly larger (e.g, 26-30) and receive a notification based on additional information obtained through contact tracing.
2 In settings other than classrooms, Health Services determines the need for notification based on the nature and length of the interaction (duration, close or more distant contact, masks worn, etc.)