After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s March 1 release of updated recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, University Health & Counseling Services (UH&CS) also has updated guidance for the Case Western Reserve community.
Of note: As of March 2024, individuals no longer need to submit positive COVID-19 test results to UH&CS, and a five-day period of isolation is no longer required for infections with COVID-19. Instead, students*, faculty, and staff should follow the guidance below for any respiratory virus, including COVID-19 and influenza.
If you have symptoms of any respiratory virus (fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, headache), you should stay home and away from others. You may return to your usual activities (including school and work), when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are improving.
AND
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medications).
COVID-19 tests will remain in the wellness vending machines, and they should be taken when you have such symptoms.
When you return to your usual activities, take added precautions over the next five days to limit any spread of infection, including:
- Wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others.
- Practice good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing your hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
- Consider steps for cleaner air, including bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.
For more guidance, including on treatments and specific instructions for students, visit the UH&CS webpage.
*At this time, the updated guidance does not apply to healthcare personnel. Health science students should follow the infection and isolation guidance at the hospital or clinic in which they are working.