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Home / COVID Information / COVID Letters / Isolation Notification for Students Living Off-Campus

Isolation Notification for Students Living Off-Campus

Dear Fellow Mountaineer,

West Virginia University is committed to the health and safety of our campus community. And as part of our COVID-19 response plan, the University recently was notified that you must isolate due to a positive COVID-19 test result.

We know this is difficult news. However, please be assured the WVU family is here to support you through this time. We ask you to stay calm and use the following guidance. As a member of the community, it is critical that you take these necessary measures to keep everyone safe.

The information in the letter below should answer your questions regarding your isolation.

It is your responsibility to notify your close contacts that they have been exposed to COVID-19. For more information on identifying close contacts, please view the CDC website definition for exposure. You also can reach out to the WVU Care Services team at CareServices@mail.wvu.edu with any additional questions.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status, must isolate for at least five days. This includes any positive PCR test or any positive rapid antigen test.

You should remain in isolation until all of the following criteria are met:

  • You are at least five full days from your test date.
  • If you experienced symptoms, those symptoms have significantly improved, AND you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  • If you continue to have fevers and/or symptoms that do not improve within five days, you should remain in isolation until you meet the above criteria or until 14 days have passed since your symptom onset.
  • If you do not develop symptoms, you may discontinue self-isolation six days after the date of your first positive test.
  • You should wear a well-fitted face mask for an additional five days following the completion of your isolation period when around other people, practice physical distancing when possible and avoid large social gatherings.

After testing positive, you should immediately return to your residence to begin your isolation period. You should not leave your residence for any reason. This includes going to in-person classes or being on campus. You must remain in isolation until you are medically cleared.

Student Athletes and those connected to WVU Athletics will be contacted by the Athletics health team and may have different protocols required by the Big 12 Conference. Anyone who falls under athletics must follow the Big 12 Conference isolation guidelines.

You are not permitted to leave isolation to retest for COVID-19. You must remain in isolation until you are released by the University. Please be advised that violating isolation protocols for any reason may result in student conduct charges and/or sanctions.

If you fail to comply with isolation requirements, you will be subject to disciplinary action through the Office of Student Conduct, which may include interim suspension, educational requirements, removal from courses, a campus ban in designated areas, removal from residence halls, University probation, deferred suspension, suspension or expulsion. Visit the Return to Campus website for more information and to view the COVID-19 isolation policy.

Please keep in mind that you may not attend any WVU Athletics events during your isolation period.

CARE AND SUPPORT

  • If your symptoms worsen, you should contact Student Health at 304-285-7200. You also may contact student health at 304-285-7200.
  • If you experience breathing problems, extremely high body temperature or other acute symptoms, you should call 911. Let them know you are in isolation for COVID-19 and make sure to wear a mask/face covering if emergency medical services attend to you in any way.

CLASSWORK

  • It is your responsibility to let your instructors know you will not be attending class.
  • If you need assistance reaching instructors, please reach out to the department chair and then college or school dean.
  • For academic questions and concerns, please contact provost@mail.wvu.edu.

RELEASE FROM ISOLATION

  • We will set your contingent release date six days from your test date. We will send you a letter with additional instructions on the day before your contingent release. It is our understanding that you will be contingently released from isolation on [DATE].
  • You may be released on day six, five full days after your test date if:
    • You are asymptomatic OR if you are at least five full days from symptom onset and those symptoms have significantly improved, AND you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, you can return to your everyday activities.
  • You must agree to wear a well-fitted mask for an additional five days after your release.
  • The Monongalia County Health Department and WVU will work together to make sure you meet CDC criteria before releasing you from isolation.
  • If you were asymptomatic and develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset .

RESOURCES

Health Resources

Grocery and Home Goods Delivery

  • Instacart – Offers delivery service from CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Aldi, Target, Sam's Club and Petco.
  • Walmart – Provides delivery service for groceries and household essentials.

Grocery Pickup

  • Giant Eagle
  • Kroger

Food Delivery

  • DoorDash
  • Grub Hub
  • Dub V Eatz

Thank you for doing your part to promote a safe and healthy campus community by following WVU’s COVID-19 isolation protocols. We are here to support you throughout this process.

Contact your residence hall staff or ResLife@mail.wvu.edu if you have any questions or need guidance while isolating. You also may contact CAREServices@mail.wvu.edu.