Quarantine and Isolation

First, a definition of terms.

• Quarantine is the term used for separation from other people when you are not ill or known to be infected, but might have been exposed to the novel coronavirus. People in quarantine should not interact in person, even with each other.
• Isolation is the term used for separation from other people when you are known to be infected or are sick with COVID-19.
• Both quarantine and isolation protect other people from being infected by you.

Quarantine for residential students is in Miller Hall. Isolation will be in Kenwood House for residential students. Off campus students and employees should isolate themselves in their home, preferably in their own bedroom and, ideally, with their own bathroom.

Who is required to quarantine?

• Anyone identified through contact tracing or other information as being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

When quarantine is needed, residential students will be assigned a single room on the first or second-floor in Miller Hall for a period of 7 days before being permitted to participate again in campus activities, in-person classes, athletics, or other group activities. Students should bring all relevant academic course materials and enough clothing and toiletries to spend the entire 7 days of quarantine in that space.

During this 7-day period, students should take steps to monitor their health and practice physical distancing from other students on campus, including other students in quarantine. Campus contacts will stay in touch with students in quarantine to provide support.

>> See the Ending Quarantine and Isolation section below.

Support and care during quarantine or isolation

Quarantine or isolation can naturally make people feel lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. However, these actions are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Coping with stress and anxiety in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about and our community stronger. And GC employees are wanting to walk with you through this time. Virtual counseling appointments can be scheduled by contacting the counseling office. In addition to taking care of your mental and spiritual health, it is important to eat well, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, and get physical exercise. Residence Life staff will provide daily check-ins and provide essential supplies and meal drop-offs 2-3 times per day. Students should be in touch with their professors about the best ways to stay engaged with their coursework.

Specific protocols for residential students in quarantine

• Take with you the belongings that you will need for the entire quarantine period (7 days).
• Should only enter Miller Hall from the north exterior entrance (Kratz-Miller Drive-Up Circle) and carry their ID cards with them at all times.
• Should not enter any other campus buildings (including the Connector) during the quarantine period.
• Should not host or invite other students into the quarantine areas of Miller Hall.
• Should wear a face covering at all times when outdoors.
• Should not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares to other locations off-campus.
• May visit/interact with other individuals outside of quarantine only when the following protocols can be followed—remain outdoors, avoid close contact (6 feet or 2 meters), and wear a face covering at all times.
• Monitor your symptoms daily and if you begin to experience COVID-19 symptoms (fever > 100.4, persistent cough, loss of smell and taste, fatigue), contact your GC Advocate and follow the protocol “What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms.”

Specific protocols for residential students in isolation

• After you have been tested for COVID-19, contact Zach Frank, Residence Life Coordinator, immediately at (574) 535-7290 for moving instructions to Kenwood House (isolation housing).
• Take with you the belongings that you will need for the entire isolation period (at least 10 days).
• Someone from the GC contact tracing team, will work with you to identify the individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19 during their interaction with you.
• While at Kenwood, monitor your symptoms daily and get plenty of rest.
  • If you have high fever, chills, and body aches and want to speak to a registered nurse contact Goshen Family Physicians at 574-534-8200 to set up a telehealth visit.
  • If you have symptoms such as shortness of breath, heavy breathing, and chest pain call Goshen Hospital at (574) 364-1000 or call 911 for immediate assistance.
• You may go out of doors on the Kenwood property but you must wear a mask and strictly maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from any other person.
• A member of the Residence Life team will bring you your meals and will do a daily wellness check.
• Your GC Advocate can assist you in setting up remote learning via the online application.
• Duration of isolation (based on the July 22, 2020 CDC update):
  • If you have been awaiting a test result and it comes back negative, you may return to your room and normal activities after you are fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and with improvement of other symptoms.
  • If you are in isolation as a presumptive case, regardless of test result, isolation and precautions can generally be discontinued 10 days after symptom onset and resolution of fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and with improvement of other symptoms.
  • If your test is positive and you never experience symptoms, you may return to your room 10 days from the date of your test (i.e. the date the swab was taken).
  • If your test is positive and you experience symptoms, isolation and precautions can generally be discontinued 10 days after symptom onset and resolution of fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and with improvement of other symptoms.
• You will need to obtain a medical clearance to leave isolation. This can be done via telemedicine with practitioners at Goshen Family Physicians (574-534-8200) or with your own doctor’s office. Students: please send the medical clearance to Chad Coleman. Employees: please send the medical clearance to the HR Office.
• When the isolation period is complete contact Zach Frank to notify that you are ready to return to your room.

Ending Quarantine and Isolation

If a student remains symptom-free while in quarantine, CDC guidelines allow them to leave quarantine after 7 days if they receive a negative COVID test on day 6 or 7 post-exposure. The PTF Coordinator will confirm that these conditions have been met and release you from quarantine.

Students remain in isolation a minimum of 10 days from the start of symptoms (or from the date they tested positive if they are asymptomatic). We follow the CDC guidelines for ending isolation:

1. 10 days from start of symptoms or positive test date if asymptomatic
2. No fever for at least 24 hours
3. Other symptoms are improving.

The PTF Coordinator will confirm that these conditions have been met and release you from isolation. You do not need a negative test to end isolation. You would likely test positive for several weeks following COVID infection even though you are no longer infectious to others. Athletes will need to schedule a medical clearance visit with Goshen Family Physicians and follow a graduated return-to-competition protocol.