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COVID-19

If You're Exposed to COVID-19

If you have been within 6 feet of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes or in direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case without the proper use of PPE, there is a likelihood you’ve been exposed to the virus.

For fully vaccinated individuals, meaning a full two weeks have passed since the completion of the COVID-19 vaccine series, you are no longer required to quarantine after an exposure as long as you remain asymptomatic. You should continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days after exposure and seek immediate testing and isolate if symptoms develop.

In unvaccinated individuals, exposure is managed with quarantine for 10 days. However, if you are asymptomatic for seven days and you receive a negative COVID test result on the seventh day (having been tested on the sixth day), you may be released from quarantine on the eighth day. You should continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

Students

  • You may receive a call from a contact tracer to inform you you’ve been exposed. You can also self-identify exposure to your RA or Redfern Health Center.
  • If you live in on-campus housing, you can move to designated quarantine housing. In some cases, it may be appropriate for individuals to quarantine in their residence. View Housing's Isolation and Quarantine Checklist to start gathering items you'll need.
  • If you have been fully vaccinated, upload your documentation to the Vaccine Upload Tool. If you have not already done so. Also, inform staff of your vaccination status if asked to quarantine.
  • If you previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the 90 days prior to this exposure, you will not be required to quarantine. You must be able to provide proof in the form of a verifiable laboratory report.
  • If quarantine is required, academic instructors should be notified of absence through the Notification of Absence system.
  • Bridge to Clemson students should contact their instructors regarding assignments.
  • Clearance from Redfern is required to receive clearance to return to campus activities.

Employees

Should you receive a call from a contact tracer to inform you you’ve been exposed or you know you have had contact with someone who has tested positive, please contact your supervisor and the Sullivan Center (864) 656-3076. Employees provide your supervisor details regarding possible exposure.

Following are the recommendations from the CDC:

  • Stay home. Exposure is managed with quarantine for 10 days. However, if you are asymptomatic for seven days and you receive a negative COVID test result on the seventh day (having been tested on the sixth day), you may be released from quarantine on the eighth day. You should continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
  • Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

Supervisors

If the employee has to be quarantined or isolated, change the employee’s status in the RTW tool to ‘In insolation or quarantine’. When the employee has returned to the workplace, select ‘Currently working on site’.

Limit your contact with others

Stay home and avoid contact with others.

  • Do not go to work or school.
  • Discuss your situation with your employer before returning to work.
  • Do not take public transportation, taxis or ride-shares
  • Avoid crowded places and limit your activities in public.

Monitor your symptoms and practice good hygiene

  • Watch for fever, cough or trouble breathing.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Do not cover with your hands.
  • Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing 60-95% alcohol.

If you begin to feel ill with fever, cough or shortness of breath

Immediately self-isolate and avoid contact with others.

Seek medical care if needed.

  • Call ahead before going to the doctor or emergency room.
  • Tell the medical staff about your possible exposure to COVID-19 and your symptoms.
  • Avoid contact with others.

Please note, if you have been exposed to someone who is exposed, you are not at heightened risk if the individual tests negative.

If the individual tests positive or develops symptoms within two days of contact with you and you are unvaccinated:

  • Monitor yourself closely for symptoms and check your temperature twice daily.
  • Contact your health care provider for further advice if you develop symptoms.
  • Self-isolate the recommended 14 days after exposure, including avoiding trips to grocery stores or pharmacies. Have others deliver supplies to you while avoiding contact with others.
  • For students going into isolation log into your courses in canvas and use the Notification of Absence process to let your instructors know that you will be moving to online only participation in classes for at least the next two weeks. If your instructor does not use canvas, contact them directly to let them know of this temporary shift in how you will be participating in classes. Use the same process to inform your instructors that you have been cleared to return to in-person classes.
  • Special cleaning procedures are not required for exposed but asymptomatic individuals.