COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation

We want you to have the access to the information and tools that you need this year to make the best decisions for yourself and others. Vikings Care about reducing the spread and protecting each other. Please use these tools and follow this guidance when needed.

Salem State University will continue to monitor and adhere to local, state public health guidelines provided by MA Department of Public Health and recommendations from the CDC to inform this page and our guidance. 

 

 

Current COVID Protocols

Shifts to COVID-19 protocols go into effect on September 1, 2022.

  • Students and employees will no longer be required to use CoVerified to track symptoms and/or show badges to enter classrooms or other spaces. Download any historic test results from CoVerified that you want to keep by September 15, 2022.
  • Feeling sick? Use the SSU student symptom survey or the SSU employee symptom survey. These are tools to help you make decisions on next steps.
  • If you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive, students take the CHS Student Exposure Survey and employees should take the HR Employee Exposure Survey for next steps.
  • Call 978.542.3240 with any personal COVID related questions or concerns, or email the Covid Inbox for non-personal COVID related policy questions or concerns.  

Watch for Symptoms

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported –  from very mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, which you may or may not know about.

The following are some of the common symptoms of COVID-19: 

  • Fever of 100.4F or greater
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. The CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should not attend on campus events, classes, clinical, placement, practice and or on campus employment.

  • Please assume any new cold or flu like symptom could be COVID, until proven otherwise with a negative test result. If you use an at-home (rapid) test and it is negative but your symptoms persist or worsen, please repeat testing and seek confirmatory molecular testing (such as a PCR).
  • Students who would like to seek medical evaluation and treatment can schedule an appointment on their SSU student health portal or follow up with their primary care provider. Employees should consult with their primary care provider.

Isolation and Quarantine

Positive Test Result? Isolate.

For those who test positive for COVID-19, a minimum five-day isolation is required per CDC guidelines.

Employees should notify Human Resources.

Details on Isolation for a Positive Test

COVID-19 Exposure and Quarantine

If you have had close contact exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID, there may be a 5 day quarantine recommendation. Learn more about when a quarantine is necessary.

Salem State Requires These Healthy Behaviors

  1. Stay home if you are sick, take a COVID test and isolate should you test positive.
  2. Stay current on vaccination requirements
  3. Wear a mask in health care settings (such as counseling and health services) if you are within your 10 day isolation or quarantine period, or if you choose to for your own personal health.  Please note, our campus remains mask flexible.

We all have a responsibility to keep our campus safe and healthy.

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