Updated: Sept. 23, 2022

What To Do If You Test Positive for COVID-19

  • Isolate away from others. Put on a mask if you live in a communal space. 
  • Inform your close contacts, professors, and work supervisors of your test result. 
  • Report your test results to contacttracing@pugetsound.edu. This email account is monitored from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    • On-campus students:
      • Students with a roommate: You are required to isolate in the isolation residence hall. If you meet the requirements to end isolation on day six, you may return to in-person activities, but you will need to stay in the on-campus isolation space until the morning of day 11. Staying for the full 10 days in a separate room from your roommate will ensure that you will be able to follow CDC masking guidelines during days six through 10.   
        • If you live with a roommate, and you test positive outside of business hours (weekends, after 5 p.m., Monday–Friday), contact Security Services at 253.879.3311. Security Services will reach out to the administrator on call to support you moving into the isolation residence hall.
        • Contact tracing and follow-up will be performed the next business day.  
        • To prepare to move to on-campus isolation, you can review the Isolation Handbook to find a list of what to pack and what to expect in the isolation residence hall.
      • Students without a roommate: You may isolate in place. During your isolation period, you should stay in your room as much as possible, and only leave your room for essential activities (using the restroom, picking up food, medical care). If you must enter a shared living space, such as the restroom, you must wear a mask and keep a physical distance from others. Limit unmasked time in the restroom to less than 10 minutes, and use the restroom at non-peak times. If you do not have KN95 masks (or similar) they will be provided to you. Please email contacttracing@pugetsound.edu to request KN95 masks. 
  • Inform your close contacts, professors, and work supervisors of your test result. 
  • Plan for isolation. 
    • Day zero of your isolation period is calculated using the first date of symptom onset or the date of your positive test. You must isolate away from others until five full days have passed since day zero.  
    • On the sixth day, you may discontinue isolation if:
      • you have had mild symptoms or are asymptomatic
      • your symptoms are resolving or have resolved 
      • you have not had a fever in 24 hours 
    • Please strictly follow the mask guidelines for the following five days.
    • If your symptoms are moderate to severe, remain in isolation for 10 days (or longer as needed). 

Email contacttracing@pugetsound.edu if you have any questions.