Simpson COVID-19 Protocols

Current COVID-19 Protocols

Report positive COVID-19 test results.
Students who receive a positive COVID-19 test result are to inform Health Services. Faculty and staff who receive a positive COVID-19 test result are to inform Mimi Bartley-Nancarrow, Director of Human Resources.

Templates will be provided to help those who test positive notify close contacts.

Prevention protocol
At this time mask use on campus is optional. The College will continue to monitor COVID-19 cases on campus and modify protocols as necessary.

If you test positive for COVID-19

Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC

Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.

You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results. If your results are positive, follow the full isolation recommendations below. If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.

IF YOU TEST Positive
Follow the full isolation recommendations below
When you have COVID-19, isolation is counted in days, as follows:

If you had no symptoms

• Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result)
• Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested
• If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset

If you had symptoms

• Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive
• Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started

Isolation

If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.
You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.

• Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
• Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask. For travel guidance, see CDC’s Travel webpage.
• Do not travel.
• Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
• Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
• Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
• Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
• Learn more about what to do if you have COVID-19.

Ending Isolation
End isolation based on how serious your COVID-19 symptoms were. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.

If you had no symptoms:

You may end isolation after day 5.

If you had symptoms and Your symptoms are improving You may end isolation after day 5 if:

• You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).

Your symptoms are not improving continue to isolate until:

• You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
• Your symptoms are improving. 1

If you had symptoms and had:

Moderate illness (you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing)
You need to isolate through day 10.

Severe illness (you were hospitalized) or have a weakened immune system

• You need to isolate through day 10.
• Consult your doctor before ending isolation.
• Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you.

If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.

Regardless of when you end isolation

Until at least day 11:

• Avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
• Remember to wear a high-quality mask when indoors around others at home and in public.
• Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask until you are able to discontinue masking (see below).
• For travel guidance, see CDC’s Travel webpage.

If you have been exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19

What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 | CDC

If you were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 or have been told by a healthcare provider or public health authority that you were exposed, here are the steps that you should take, regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection. Learn how COVID-19 spreads and the factors that make risk of spread higher or lower.

After Being Exposed to COVID-19

• Start Precautions Immediately
• Wear a mask as soon as you find out you were exposed

Start counting from Day 1

• Day 0 is the day of your last exposure to someone with COVID-19
• Day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure

CONTINUE PRECAUTIONS 10 Full Days
You can still develop COVID-19 up to 10 days after you have been exposed

Take Precautions

• Wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) any time you are around others inside your home or indoors in public
• Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask. For travel guidance, see CDC’s Travel webpage.

Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.

More about how to protect yourself and others

Watch for symptoms

• Fever (100.4°F or greater)
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Other COVID-19 symptoms

If you develop symptoms

• Isolate immediately
• Get tested
• Stay home until you know the result

If your test result is positive, follow the isolation recommendations.

Get Tested
Day 6
Get tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure
Test even if you don’t develop symptoms.

If you already had COVID-19 within the past 90 days, see specific testing recommendations.

If you test Negative

• Continue taking precautions through day 10
• Wear a high-quality mask when around others at home and indoors in public
• You can still develop COVID-19 up to 10 days after you have been exposed

If you test Positive

• Isolate immediately

Last updated August 31, 2023