COVID Guidelines Fall 2023
University Health and Counseling Services (UH&CS) is committed to protecting the health and well-being of our students. In the event of an urgent public health issue, UH&CS collaborates with other campus units to support the rest of the campus community.
UH&CS is providing the information below in the event any member of the campus community is experiencing symptoms that may indicate a COVID infection. Please know that policies and procedures will continue to be reviewed as circumstances change.
For those experiencing symptoms of COVID:
- Individuals with symptoms of COVID should wear a well-fitting mask and follow the CDC guidelines for testing. Rapid antigen tests are available in the wellness vending machines. (NOTE: Machines are filled once each business day. If a machine is out, please check another machine.)
- Students may schedule an appointment with UH&CS via myhealthconnect.case.edu to obtain testing and receive a medical evaluation.
For those who test positive for COVID:
- All CWRU community members are still encouraged to report their positive tests through myhealthconnect.case.edu. A UH&CS nurse will review the information within one business day and send a secure message detailing your isolation instructions.
- All members of the campus community who test positive should follow the CDC guidelines for isolation. In general, the CDC recommends isolation for at least 5 full days, with masking through the 10th day of isolation.
- In addition:
- After the first five days of isolation, those who have tested positive for COVID-19 no longer need to have a negative antigen test before leaving isolation.
- That said, those who tested positive should have improving symptoms--including no fever for 24 hours (without using fever reducing medications) -- before ending isolation after the fifth day.
- After leaving isolation, you should wear a well-fitting mask when around others during days 6-10.
- Healthcare workers (including students) must isolate through day 7 AND have a negative rapid antigen test to end isolation.
- As with any other illness, students are encouraged to contact to different university units if they need assistance, including their four-year advisor for academic issues.
Isolation support for students living on campus:
- Students living on-campus should isolate in their residence hall rooms and wear a mask when in hallways or common areas.
- Students on the university meal plan may order a grab-and-go option through Transact Mobile Ordering, pick it up while wearing a well-fitting mask, and return to their residence hall to eat. If a student is too ill to leave to pick up a meal, please follow these instructions to have a friend pick up your meal.
- Students not on the meal plan may use UberEats, Instacart or other delivery services.
- Please note that healthy roommates/suitemates will no longer be offered separate housing from someone in isolation.
Individuals who have been exposed to COVID:
- Healthy roommates/suitemates and others who believe they may have been exposed to COVID should follow CDC exposure guidelines, including wearing a well-fitting mask when around others.
- Please note that the university is no longer performing contact tracing or providing individual exposure notifications.
Masking:
- Masking is not required on campus. that said, those who wish to wear masks may do so.
- Individuals with symptoms of COVID, who have recently completed isolation for COVID, or who have been exposed to COVID should wear a well-fitting mask, as per CDC guidelines.
- Healthcare workers (including students) at clinical sited should follow the guidance at their respective clinical locations.
- Masks are available in the wellness vending machines or can be requested by emailing uhcs@case.edu.
COVID Vaccination:
- While COVID vaccination is not required for most campus community members, individuals are strongly encouraged to remain up to date on their vaccines.
- Students in health sciences schools are expected to abide by the health and safety expectations of the clinical sites they access.
- UH&CS has partnered with CVS to offer a limited supply of updated vaccines on campus.
COVID Testing:
- Rapid antigen tests are available in the wellness vending machines.
- Students with symptoms may make an appointment through myhealthconnect.case.edu for a medical evaluation which may include testing, if indicated. UH&CS is not able to provide testing for travel purposes.