COVID-19 Exposure Guidelines for Students

• Precautions
• When to Test
• When to End Precautions
• Other Actions/Information/Resources

Exposed to COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status or previous COVID-19 infection

Precautions

Isolation and Quarantine Calculator | Washington State Department of Health

Day 0 is day of last known exposure

• Wear a high-quality mask (e.g., N95 or KN95) for 10 full days after exposure.
• Watch for symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 full days after exposure.
• Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.
• Take general public health precautions, especially when symptomatic.
• Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.

When to Test

• If you have symptoms, get tested immediately.
• If you have NO symptoms, get tested at least five full days after your last exposure (Day 6).

Additionally:

• If you have positive test results, isolate immediately and follow
  • Isolation Guidelines for COVID-19 (with symptoms)
  • Isolation Guidelines for COVID-19 (no symptoms)
  •  
• If you have negative test results and no symptoms, repeat test after 24-48 hours
  (If negative, repeat again in 24-48 hours—minimum of three tests with last test no earlier than Day 6)
• If you have a negative test with symptoms, repeat test after 24-48 hours
  (Isolate immediately. If negative, repeat again in 24-48 hours—minimum of two tests with last test no earlier than Day 6)
• If you had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, see specific testing recommendations

When to End Precautions

• Continue precautions for 10 full days after Day 0 exposure.

Other Actions/Information/Resources

• Isolate and get tested immediately if symptoms occur after exposure.
• If test is positive begin isolation immediately—see Isolation Guidelines for COVID-19.

Resources:

• COVID-19 test access
  
  • Get Four Free At-⁠Home COVID-⁠19 Tests
    Order free COVID-19 at-home tests through the United States COVID.gov/tests website. Tests may show "expired" dates on the box, but the FDA has extended those dates; see the full list of extended expiration dates.
  • Most private insurances cover a certain number of at-home tests.
  • Available at most local pharmacies.
• If you test positive (reporting)
  • If you test positive, please report your positive (or negative) COVID-19 status at the following link. The process takes approximately 2-3 minutes.
    Say Yes! COVID Test Digital Assistant
    Reporting to the State of Washington is a way for public health entities to know the incidence and prevalence of COVID-19 in the state. It is also a way for the state to provide supports when and where needed.
  • It is the student's responsibility to notify their faculty of any illness, including COVID-19, that may impact their ability to participate in class in any way.

Information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at CDC COVID-19, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) at DOH COVID-19, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests.