Quarantine and Isolation Guide for Arcadia University Students

Revised January 14, 2022

Key Terms to Know

QUARANTINE separates an individual who is believed to have been exposed to COVID-19 from unexposed individuals. Exposed individuals are often identified through contact tracing or by a COVID-positive individual notifying those they had close contact with. The length of time and process for quarantine used by Arcadia are based on CDC guidance and vary based on vaccination status and other circumstances (see table below).
ISOLATION separates an individual who is infected with COVID-19 (with or without symptoms) from those not infected. Individuals in need of isolation will have a positive COVID-19 test. However, those who are symptomatic may be placed into isolation while test results are pending.
CLOSE CONTACT is a person who was within 6ft of an infected individual for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. This applies to such exposure to a COVID-positive individual 2 days before they developed symptoms (or 2 days before an asymptomatic individual’s positive test sample was collected) until they began isolation. Wearing a mask is not a factor in determining if someone is a close contact.
CONTACT TRACING is the process utilized to identify, monitor, and support individuals who may have been exposed to a person with a communicable disease such as COVID-19. This is an important tool to help quickly identify and limit transmission of COVID-19. If you are an Arcadia community member and you test positive for COVID-19, you are expected to participate in contact tracing with the COVID Care Team. The COVID Care Team will maintain your confidentiality while identifying individuals who may have been exposed and are at risk of contracting COVID-19 through close contact with you.

Quarantine and Isolation Process

Quarantine and Isolation Criteria

The below table indicates if quarantine/isolation is necessary and for how long it is necessary based on specific criteria and is based on the most current CDC guidance as of Aug. 24, 2021.

	Vaccines Up-to-Date	Fully Vaccinated but Out-of-Date*	Not Fully Vaccinated*
Close Contact, no symptoms of COVID-19	No quarantine, wear a mask for 10 FULL days when around others, test for COVID on day 5 post-exposure	Quarantine at least 5 FULL days, test for COVID on day 5 post-exposure, end quarantine if test results are negative and wear mask around others for 5 days after quarantine	Quarantine at least 5 FULL days, test for COVID on day 5 post-exposure, end quarantine if test results are negative and wear mask around others for 5 days after quarantine
Close Contact, has symptoms of COVID-19	Get tested for COVID and self-isolate until results available; if test is negative test again for COVID on day 5 post-exposure and wear mask for 10 days when around others; if positive COVID-19 test follow process below	Get tested for COVID, self-isolate until results available; if test is negative, quarantine for at least 5 FULL days from last exposure, test for COVID on day 5 post-exposure, end quarantine if test results are negative and wear mask around others for 5 days after quarantine; if positive COVID-19 test follow process below	Get tested for COVID, self-isolate until results available; if test is negative, quarantine for at least 5 FULL days from last exposure, test for COVID on day 5 post-exposure, end quarantine if test results are negative and wear mask around others for 5 days after quarantine; if positive COVID-19 test follow process below
Has symptoms of COVID-19	Get tested for COVID, self-isolate until results are available, if positive COVID-19 test follow process below	Get tested for COVID, self-isolate until results are available, if positive COVID-19 test follow process below	Get tested for COVID, self-isolate until results are available, if positive COVID-19 test follow process below
Positive COVID-19 test	Isolate for 5 FULL days since symptoms first appeared or from date COVID test was conducted AND 24 hours without fever (without fever-reducing medications) AND other COVID symptoms are improving (or individual remained asymptomatic), wear a mask around others for 5 days after isolation ends	Isolate for 5 FULL days since symptoms first appeared or from date COVID test was conducted AND 24 hours without fever (without fever-reducing medications) AND other COVID symptoms are improving (or individual remained asymptomatic), wear a mask around others for 5 days after isolation ends	Isolate for 5 FULL days since symptoms first appeared or from date COVID test was conducted AND 24 hours without fever (without fever-reducing medications) AND other COVID symptoms are improving (or individual remained asymptomatic), wear a mask around others for 5 days after isolation ends

*You are considered to be up-to-date with your COVID vaccinations if you complete the primary course of COVID vaccines and have not yet reached eligibility for the COVID booster or if you have completed both the primary series and booster vaccinations. You are considered to be out-of-date with your COVID vaccinations if you completed the primary series of COVID vaccinations AND are eligible for a COVID booster but have not yet received it. You are considered not fully vaccinated if you have received no COVID vaccinations or have not completed the primary series of COVID vaccination. The primary series of the J&J vaccine is one dose and you are eligible for a booster 2-months post-vaccination. The primary series for the Moderna COVID vaccine is 2 doses, 4 weeks apart, and you are eligible for a booster 5 months after your second dose. The primary series of the Pfizer COVID vaccine is 2 doses, 3 weeks apart, and you are eligible for a booster shot at 5 months after your second dose.

NOTE: some of the above processes may differ for immunocompromised individuals. Those who develop severe COVID-19 symptoms will be transferred to the appropriate medical facility for care and monitoring. Additionally, immunocompromised individuals may also receive a third dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines 28 days after the second dose and prior to receiving a booster shot.

Locations for Quarantine and Isolation

Commuter students will be expected to quarantine and/or isolate at home. Residential students may choose to go home for that time period or will be provided with quarantine and/or isolation space on or off campus. Some residential students will be able to stay in their residence hall rooms for quarantine and/or isolation while others may be relocated to another space on campus; this is dependent upon the room style and COVID status of any roommates, suitemates, or floormates.

Process for Quarantine and Isolation at Arcadia

If Arcadia or a health professional indicates that you need to quarantine or isolate, there are important steps that you should take. This is an overview of the timeline for quarantine/isolation.

Notification
1. You will be notified by a member of the COVID Care Team of the need to quarantine or isolate
2. If you tested positive outside of Arcadia University, you would receive this notification from your associated health care provider or COVID testing facility. In this case, please complete the Self-Disclosure Form and, if you live on campus, contact Student Affairs by emailing sa@arcadia.edu or by calling 215-572-2933.
Relocating to quarantine/isolation space
1. This may be temporarily staying in a new residence hall room, limiting your movements within your off-campus residence, or staying in your current residence hall room if the space accommodates this.
2. NOTE: remove any perishable food in your room if it will not be consumed by roommates so that your space is ready for when you return.
3. Bring necessary items with you. See recommendations below.
Actions while in quarantine/isolation
1. Notify your professors that you will not be able to attend class in-person.
  1. If you are in quarantine or are asymptomatic, it is encouraged that you continue to participate in classes virtually or through alternative assignments if this is possible for the course and as coordinated with the faculty member
  2. If you are symptomatic your health is of primary importance. Therefore, you are not expected to participate in class virtually but must still communicate with faculty based on the individual course procedures.
2. Monitor and record your symptoms each day
  1. Use the daily symptom tracker to monitor your health to identify the development, changing, or worsening of symptoms
  2. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID, it’s important to connect with Student Health Services, your healthcare provider and/or consider calling for emergency services.
3. Limit contact with others
  1. Ensure that you limit your contact with other individuals as much as possible. If you are isolating/quarantining on campus, whether you are living in the dorm or off campus.
  2. Guests, including other students in quarantine or isolation, are not permitted.
4. Meals
  1. Students on campus will be contacted by Metz with a Delivery menu and costs associated with the delivery. Food is delivered once a day between 10:30am and noon. If you live off-campus plan for how you will obtain your meals while minimizing exposure of others living in the same residence.
5. Some additional logistics
  1. Trash disposal: trash disposal will be noted on the floor where the student resides
  2. Laundry: Laundry service is not available during quarantine or isolation while on campus. If you have an emergency need, please contact sa@arcadia.edu
  3. Alcohol: alcohol is not permitted while in quarantine or isolation housing on campus
  4. Service and emotional support animals: Please notify COVID-Care Team that you have an emotional support animal. We will work to accommodate the student’s needs, but there is no guarantee that we can do so.
Ending quarantine/isolation
1. A member of the COVID Care Team will coordinate your return to your traditional dorm room when you meet the criteria to end your quarantine or isolation

What to Bring:

Before you enter the quarantine/isolation space, it’s important to pack all of the things that you will need for the stay. You will not be able to return to your residence hall if you’ve forgotten something or are missing anything, so it is critical you think about your daily routine and pack the necessary items that you will need. This list is not comprehensive, but it does include some useful suggestions to ensure you have what you need to succeed while in your space. Please keep in mind that you should limit yourself to one trip’s worth of bags if possible. You may want to consider having a “go-bag” with any of the items below that can be pre-packed. If you do need to quarantine or isolate this preparation can make the process a little easier.

School Materials
1. Textbooks and notes
2. Pens, pencils, and paper
3. Laptop or tablet
4. Any other supplies you need to participate in your courses and complete existing assignments
Personal Possessions
1. Chargers for your electronics
2. Medications and other health care items (e.g., eyeglasses) you might need
3. Towels
4. A cup or water bottle
5. Portable entertainment (portable gaming system, DVDs, music, etc)
6. Toiletries
  1. Toothbrush
  2. Toothpaste
  3. Hairbrush
  4. Shampoo and conditioner
  5. Soap
  6. Deodorant
  7. Feminine hygiene products (if necessary)
7. Clothing
  1. NOTE-you will not have access to laundry facilities while in quarantine or isolation on campus, so you need to ensure you have all of the clothes you need to feel clean and comfortable.
8. Comfort items
9. Snacks
Bedding
1. Sheets
2. Pillow
3. Blankets

What Arcadia with Provide:

Rooms will have minimal furniture and decor
Thermometer
Cleaning wipes
Health and wellness bag (items such as ibuprofen, gatorade or water, snacks)

Mental Health and Wellness

Having to quarantine or isolate can be a very stressful and challenging time and you may experience a wide range of emotional reactions. Please know that these feelings are a typical reaction to an atypical situation. Focusing on what is within your control, staying in touch with others for support, and practicing intentional, healthy self-care will help this time pass, and hopefully you’ll be back to your routine soon. The university has several support services available if you find that you could benefit from some additional resources, services, or support.

Additional Resources:

Arcadia Counseling Services
Helpful resources for managing COVID

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information. Text HOME to 741-741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis.
Text STEVE to 741-741 for students of color.
The Trevor Project- Crisis Hotline for LGBTQ+ youth 866-488-7386