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Isolation in Place

What to do if you test positive

  1. If you test postive off-campus or using a personal test kit, complete the COVID19 Positive Survey to notify the COVID Response Center.
  2. As soon as possible, isolate in your room and wear a high-quality face covering (double surgical mask, KN95, KF94, or N95) at all times. You will receive a message with general instructions from COVID response team on next steps.

What to do if you have COVID-related symptoms

Students who have severe symptoms (shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, or fever lasting more than 3 days) should seek clinical care immediately(click here for more information on symptoms); for mild symptoms, please stay home and rest. Student Health is available for telehealth visits or questions call 209-228-2273 to make an appointment or speak with clinical staff. Campus residents should contact their RA or their building's RA on call to request a COVID test kit.(Don't visit the RA; the RA will leave kit for you outside your room door)

The information provided is based on current California Public Health Guidelines. For information related to campus, please refer to the Campus Ready page. (https://doyourpart.ucmerced.edu/). 

Self-Isolation guidelines for on-campus housing

  • Remain in your room with the door closed as much as possible, hosting no others than those assigned to your room, during this time.
  • Do not go to class, work, or other campus facilities. 
  • Wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask at all times when you are around others, including in your room, unless you do not have any roommates. This includes during sleep. An N95 mask is preferred; other good options include double-masking with regular surgical (paper) masks, KN95, or KF95. Instructions: How to use a N95 Mask, How to remove a mask. 
  • Keep the door to your room closed and windows open as much as possible. Opening windows may not be advised on hot days, as it stops the flow of HVAC cooled air into your room. 
  • Monitor your symptoms.  If you have severe symptoms, including trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately by calling 911 or by going to your local emergency room. For non-severe symptoms, call the SHS 24-hour nurse advice line at 209-228-2273. 

You are strongly encouraged to share the news with your roommates and other close contacts so that everyone can take appropriate precautions. A close contact is anyone who was in the same indoor space as you for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period during your infectious period. (The infectious period is 2 days before your symptoms appear or 2 days before your positive test, if you do not have symptoms, through the end of your isolation). 

How long to isolate and criteria to end isolation

The most updated information can be found here: https://doyourpart.ucmerced.edu/crc

What if your roommate tests positive

If your roommate, or other close contact, tests positive and you do not have symptoms, you are no longer required to quarantine, regardless of your vaccination status. Please review CDPH guidance for when to test after exposure.

Meals during isolation

Students who are isolating in place are permitted to enter the YWDC or the Pavilion for meals to go only after completing a sick tray form and under the following conditions: 

  • Student who is isolating in place submits a “sick tray form” at the start of their isolation period. 
  • Students must wear a face-covering at all times outside their assigned room. 
  • Students isolating in place will request a to-go box from the cashier and identify their requested items from the posted menu at the front of the dining center. Dining staff will pack their meal while the student waits, distanced from others. 
  • Students must leave the dining center and return to their assigned dorm room to eat OR eat outside, distanced from others. 

Alternatively, students who are feeling too unwell to pick up meals may request a friend pick up a sick tray only after completing a sick tray form:

  • Student who is isolating in place completes the “Sick Tray form” at the start of their isolation period. 
  • Students will designate one or more persons who can collect their meals for them. 
  • The designated person will collect the to-go box from the cashier and pack the meal. 
  • The designated person will take food to the student isolating in place.