COVID-19 Guidance

The COVID situation has changed significantly over the last several years. As of May 5, 2023, The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end to the Covid 19 health emergency of international concern. University Health Services (UHS) continues to monitor the Covid 19 variants closely and adjust our recommendations accordingly. We are now entering the fourth year since the start of the pandemic and we continue to see a decrease in serious illness as a result of natural immunity, immunity from vaccinations, and the community being more careful. This does not mean we should let our guard down, but we may need to alter our behaviors as needed depending on the level of illness we are seeing at any given time.

This revised guidance reflects current recommendations from the American College Health Association (ACHA) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to maximize the well-being of our Fordham community. This guidance is subject to change as Covid 19 conditions evolve. We will continue to comply with any additional recommendations from the New York City Department of Health and New York State Department of Health if they become available.

UHS is available for any questions or concerns you may have. UHS can be reached at RH: 718-817-4160 and LC: 212-636-7160.

Vaccines

All students are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with their Covid 19 vaccinations and boosters consistent with the CDC recommendations. Vaccinations decrease the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from Covid 19 infection, and vaccines remain a critical component of our response to Covid 19. An updated Covid 19 vaccine that targets the latest variants is expected in late September. This vaccine should be widely available in local pharmacies or by searching vaccines.gov.

Masking

Wearing a mask correctly can be an effective tool in preventing the spread of Covid 19 when someone is feeling ill, in crowded areas, and during times when infection rates are increasing. Masking remains recommended for those vulnerable individuals who are at risk for developing more severe illness. University Health Services requires students to mask if they are symptomatic and coming into the office for a visit.

University Health Services Testing

Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of Covid 19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin. UHS provides rapid testing for symptomatic students in the office and we can confirm the result with a PCR test through Labcorp and Quest, if needed. Please call UHS to schedule a sick appointment:

  • Rose Hill 718-817-4160
  • Lincoln Center 212-636-7160  

Home Testing

UHS encourages students to keep a supply of at-home Covid tests. When you use an at-home Covid 19 test, make sure you follow the instructions to perform the test properly. You should have several tests on hand because you may need to repeat the test in 48 hours if you received a negative result and are symptomatic or if you were exposed. Close contacts of infected individuals should be tested on day six post-exposure if asymptomatic, but sooner if symptoms develop. Please see the updated guidance for home testing.

Exposure & Notifying Close Contacts

Following a positive test result, students should notify direct contacts.

Following the CDC's updated guidance, persons who have had recent confirmed or suspected exposure to an infected person should wear a mask for 10 days around others when indoors in public. Individuals should take a Covid test 5 days after exposure (or sooner, if they are symptomatic). Students are encouraged to have at home tests available in their rooms in the case they need to test and are asymptomatic. CDC recommends testing after you have been exposed on day 6 and if negative to repeat testing on day 8 and day 10 to ensure you remain negative. If negative, take precautions through Day 10 post-exposure. If positive, isolate immediately. If symptoms develop at any time in the 10 days after exposure, self-isolate immediately and get tested.

Isolation

Students who test positive for Covid 19 should isolate for 5 days from the date they became symptomatic or the date of the positive test if asymptomatic and then wear a well fitted mask until day 10. If you develop symptoms after this initial positive test then your 5 day isolation period should start over. Please see the CDC guidance on Isolation. After 5 days, if your symptoms have subsided or improved and you are fever free for 24 hours (without fever reducing medications), you may end isolation and wear a well-fitted mask until day 10.

If available, students are encouraged to isolate off campus at your home. For situations in which isolating off campus is not possible, students may remain in their room just as with the flu, strep throat, mono and other illnesses. Students should be encouraged to engage in protective measures per CDC recommendations to prevent the spread of illnesses to the greatest extent possible. Some of these prevention strategies include practicing hand hygiene, consistently and correctly wearing a high-quality mask, improving ventilation, and keeping your distance, when possible, from the person who is sick or who tested positive. If the person with Covid 19 must leave their room, they should always wear a well fitted mask and avoid close contact with others.

Signs It May Be An Emergency

If you or someone you know is exhibiting any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake.

For any emergency or after hours, please call the Department of Public Safety at (718) 817-2222 at Rose Hill, (212) 636-6076 at Lincoln Center, or call 911.