Exposure Information

Exposure Information

For the General Campus Community

Please do not come to campus if you have tested positive and are in your isolation period, or are experiencing the following symptoms:

  • Fever or chills    
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Cough    
  • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing    
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Vomiting or Diarrhea    
  • Congestion/runny nose
  • Headache     

For Individuals Living On Campus

If you test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status:

  • Isolate in your residence hall room or apartment for a minimum of 5 days.
  • If you live within driving distance of campus, you may return home for your isolation period. Please follow the next steps outlined below before leaving.
  • If your symptoms have resolved or improved on day 5 you can leave your room or apartment starting on day 6, but need to wear a mask for the next 5 days.
  • If you went home to isolate and meet the criteria outlined above you may return to campus on day 6, but need to wear a mask for an additional 5 days.
  • If your symptoms are not improving on day 5, continue to isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication or your symptoms are improving and continue wearing a mask through day 10.

Next Steps To Take

  1. Contact the RA on Call and request to speak with a Residence Life Professional regarding COVID-19. A member of the Residence Life staff will assist with your next steps on isolation.
  2. Contact your Supervisor/Instructor to let them know you will not be coming to class or work.
  3. Notify your close contacts as there is no longer contact tracing available to assist with this.
  4. Stay in your room, apartment, or home (Self-isolate) per guidance on isolation FAQ. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover without medical care. Do not visit public areas.
    • Students with meal plans may only leave to pick up to-go food from the dining rooms while wearing a well-fitting mask.

For additional information related to self-isolation read the CDC guidance for Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19.


For Faculty and Supervisors

Faculty Reporting Instructions if a Positive Case is Reported to You

DO:

  • Tell the student not to come to campus, or to leave campus immediately if symptoms develop during class.
  • Hold class as usual even if they report being in a past class when they were ill as quarantines are no longer required.
  • Support the student by working with them to determine coverage for class/workload.

DO NOT:

  • DO NOT ask the student to provide proof of a COVID-19 positive test OR share this information any further (for example to the class/colleagues).
  • DO NOT ask who was in contact with said student as classroom quarantines are no longer required and students will be responsible for notifying their close contacts.

Supervisor Reporting Instructions if a Positive Case is Reported to You

DO:

  • Tell the employee not to come to campus, or to leave campus immediately if symptoms develop while at work.
  • Continue department operations as usual even if the employee reports being at work when ill.
  • Support the employee by working with them to determine coverage.
  • The employee may return to work as directed by following CDC guidance.
    • YOU MAY NOT GET PROOF (doctor's note or negative COVID-19 test) to return to work nor should you ask for proof.

DO NOT:

  • DO NOT ask the employee to provide proof of a COVID-19 positive test OR share this information any further (for example to the department/colleagues).
  • DO NOT ask who was in contact with the said employee as the employee will be responsible for notifying their close contacts.

For Individuals with Exposure or Positive COVID-19 Test Results

Your Actions & What To Do

If You Test Positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status:

  • Isolate for a minimum of 5 days.
  • If your symptoms have resolved or improved on day 5, you can leave your house/room starting on day 6 but need to wear a mask for an additional 5 days.
  • If your symptoms are not improving on day 5, continue to isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication or your symptoms are improving and continue wearing a mask through day 10.

Next Steps To Take

  1. Contact your Supervisor/Instructor to let them know you will not be coming to campus.
  2. Notify your close contacts as there is no longer contact tracing available to assist with this.
  3. Employees with questions related to remote work or leave eligibility should contact HR at hrhelp@uccs.edu.
  4. Stay home (Self-isolate) per guidance on isolation FAQ. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.

For additional information related to self-isolation read the CDC guidance for Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19.


Individuals with a COVID-19 Exposure

If you have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19, you should take the following precautions: 

  • Monitor yourself for symptoms for 10 days after exposure.
  • Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days.
  • Test on day 6, if possible.
  • If you develop symptoms, you should get tested and isolate until results are received. If you test negative, continue taking precautions through day 10. If you test positive you should follow CDC guidance for Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19.

Do I Need To Be Tested?

Anyone with symptoms should get tested, stay away from others, and follow stay-at-home instructions. 

Active UCCS students can be tested at the UCCS Wellness Center through an appointment by calling 719-255-4444. The Wellness Center is currently offering rapid and PCR testing for students experiencing COVID-like symptoms and for close contacts of positive cases.

The best time to get tested if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, but not experiencing symptoms, is on day 6 after exposure.

For individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms, you can be cleared to return to campus 6 days from the day you were tested as long as you do not develop symptoms on or after day 5.

  • You should continue to wear a mask around others for an additional 5 days.
  • If you develop symptoms that have not improved on day 5, continue to isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication or your symptoms are improving and continue wearing a mask through day 10.

Do I need to quarantine after a close COVID-19 exposure?

Individuals who have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 individual no longer need to quarantine, but should take the following precautions: 

  • Monitor yourself for symptoms for 10 days after exposure.
  • Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days.
  • Test on day 6, if possible.
  • If you develop symptoms, you should get tested and isolate until results are received. If you test negative, continue taking precautions through day 10.