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Guidance for COVID-19

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Guidance for COVID-19

Be prepared and plan ahead for COVID-19 illness

All Mason students should prepare for the possibility of getting COVID-19 or being exposed.

Have at-home COVID self-test kits available.  Have access to well-fitting, high quality face masks. Have a thermometer. You can purchase these items at local retail stores or online retailers –  such as grocery stores, pharmacies, CVS, Walgreens, WalMart, Target, Amazon, etc…

Students, faculty and staff with a valid Mason ID can get a free COVID at-home test at One Stop and Express convenience stores on the Fairfax Campus. Test kits are also available at the Student Health Services clinics during our operating hours.

Additionally, stay up-to-date with vaccines to help protect against severe illness.

On March 1, 2024 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidelines for COVID-19 to align with other respiratory illness prevention precautions. Read more here.

Free COVID self test kits available at Express and One Stop convenience stores and Student Health clinics on campus. Must show a valid Mason ID. One Kit Per person. Sponsored by Student Health Services and Mason Dining

COVID Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions

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COVID Isolation

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I have symptoms of COVID-19, what do I do?
  1. Stay home or in your residence hall room and away from others (self-isolate) when you are sick. Take basic preventive actions to help keep illness from spreading to others.
  2. Take a rapid at-home COVID antigen test.
    • If the result is positive, click here and follow these steps.
    • If the result is negative, continue to take preventive actions. Take another at-home COVID test 48 hours later. If both results are negative, you do not need to take other action. Continue to take everyday precautions if you are having symptoms to avoid spreading other respiratory illness. 

Call Student Health Services at 703-993-2831 to speak with a nurse if your symptoms are getting worse or if you have concerns about symptoms. You can also call if you have questions about test results. After-hours, follow prompts to reach the free nurse advice service.

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What do I do if I test positive for COVID-19? How long should I self-isolate if I have symptoms of respiratory illness?

Follow CDC guidelines and take preventive actions to reduce the spread of respiratory illness.

When you are sick, stay home or in your residence hall room and away from others (self-isolate) to keep illness from spreading.

You can go back to normal activities when both of the following are true for 24 hours:

  • Your symptoms are getting better AND
  • You have not had a fever (without using fever-reducing medication).

For the next 5 days, after you go back to normal activities, take added precautions. Continue to practice good hygiene. Other precautions when you are going to be around others indoors can include: wearing a mask that covers your mouth and nose, physically distancing, taking steps to improve indoor airflow, and/or testing. These actions can help reduce the spread of illness.

Inform close contacts (such as roommates, friends, or family) if you tested positive so that they can take everyday precautions to reduce the spread of illness.

Call Student Health Services at 703-993-2831 to speak with a nurse or make an appointment with a healthcare provider if your symptoms are getting worse or if you have concerns about symptoms. You can also call if you have questions about test results. After-hours, follow prompts to reach the free nurse advice service.

On March 1, 2024 the CDC updated guidance to align COVID-19 prevention with guidelines for other respiratory illnesses.

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Do I need to report a positive COVID test?

You do not need to notify Student Health Services or the university about a positive test result.

Students can call Student Health Services (703-993-2831) if you have a concern about symptoms.

You should tell your close contacts if you tested positive so they can take preventive actions to reduce the spread of illness.

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What should I do if I am a close contact of a person with COVID-19 or think I was exposed?

Take everyday preventive actions to prevent the spread of respiratory illness.
Get a COVID test.

    • If you do not develop symptoms, test 5 days after your last exposure. You can use an at-home COVID antigen test. If your first test is negative, take another test 24-48 hours later.
    •  If you develop symptoms, self-isolate and get a COVID test as soon as possible. You can use an at-home test or get tested in a healthcare facility. If you test positive, follow these steps.

Students with concerns about symptoms can call Student Health Services at 703-993-2831. After-hours, follow phone prompts to reach the free nurse advice service.

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If I have a positive COVID-19 test, how can I notify my close contacts?

Review the Virginia Department of Health info on how to notify your close contacts (pdf).

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I have concerns about COVID symptoms, but Student Health is closed, what should I do?

If you have concerns about symptoms or exposure, you can call Student Health Services (703-993-2831) for advice at any time, just follow phone prompts to reach the free nurse advice service. If you are sick, self-isolate (stay home and away from others) and take everyday preventive actions to reduce the spread of illness.

Visit our COVID Services webpage for information on COVID testing.

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What can I do to help reduce the risk of illness if I live with others? What if I am sick, have COVID, or live with someone who has COVID or feels sick?

Follow CDC guidelines and take preventive actions to reduce the spread of respiratory illness.

The person who is ill or tested positive can self-isolate (be away from others as much as possible). This can include eating separately, having a separate room and using a separate bathroom if possible.

The person who is ill or tested positive can wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose if they must be around others.

Clean often. Regularly clean things that are touched often, such as door handles, counters, bathroom surfaces.

Take steps to improve indoor airflow when possible.

Practice good hygiene. Wash hands regularly or use hand sanitizer. Cover sneezes and coughs with a tissue and throw the tissue away.

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