Campus & Community

Please Review Carefully: New Public Health Guidance for COVID-19

Thursday, March 21, 2024, By News Staff

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

I am writing today to provide an important update on new guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and subsequently adopted by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). The new guidance, as outlined below, revises response protocols for when an individual tests positive for COVID-19.

New Guidance

  • Continue to stay home if sick: If you test positive for COVID-19, you are encouraged to stay home if you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, cough and other known respiratory virus symptoms.
  • No longer mandated to isolate: Those with COVID-19 are no longer required to isolate for five days. Instead, according to the NYSDOH, “individuals can go back to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both of the following are true:
    • symptoms are getting better overall, and
    • they no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.”
  • No longer required to report a positive test: Students and faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are no longer required to report that positive test to the Barnes Center and Human Resources, respectively.

How to keep yourself and those around you healthy!

Although isolation and vaccination are no longer required, COVID-19 continues to be present and causes varying degrees of illness. There are several ways you can keep yourself and those around you healthy, including:

  • Get vaccinated: We encourage our community to consider vaccinations against common communicable illnesses, including COVID-19. Students, faculty and staff can search locations offering COVID-19 vaccinations using the Vaccine Finder website. The COVID-19 vaccine is available in the pharmacy at the Barnes Center. Please use the patient portal to make an appointment.
  • Monitor for COVID-like symptoms: If you’re a student, contact the Barnes Center at 315.443.8000 if you are concerned about your symptoms. Barnes Center staff will direct you on what actions to take next. Faculty and staff should contact their primary care provider.
  • Stay home: If you’re experiencing COVID-like symptoms, including a fever, stay home.
  • Wear a mask: If you are feeling under the weather, consider wearing a mask to limit the spread of your symptoms. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask is welcome to do so and should be supported.
  • Exercise good hygiene habits: Cover your cough and sneezes. Wash your hands often. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently, especially your residence hall rooms.

The University appreciates your continued cooperation and commitment to a safe and healthy environment for all members of our community. To learn more about public health guidance, please visit the CDC website.

Wishing you a successful end to the spring semester.

Sincerely,

Ramesh Raina
Professor, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences