What to Do If: You May Have Been Exposed to COVID-19
If you believe or know you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please use the following guidance.
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This content will be added to and updated throughout the year.
If You've Had Close Contact With Someone Who's Tested Positive
If You are Not Vaccinated
If you come into close contact (within 6 feet for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past two weeks, you are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
In this situation, you will likely be considered a “close contact” during contact tracing efforts and be given medical advice from your local health department on next steps, which will likely be to quarantine for 14 days if you are not vaccinated. Quarantine means to avoid contact with others to the furthest extent possible for the next 14 days.
Until you receive guidance from the local health department, you should do the following:
- Quarantine, including staying away from people as much as possible.
- Routinely use masks and/or face coverings.
- Monitor your symptoms. Please note that those who feel they have been exposed to COVID-19 may not immediately be asked to be tested for COVID-19.
If you develop symptoms during quarantine, check what to do if you become symptomatic of COVID-19.
After your quarantine period, if you are asymptomatic, you can return to normal activities.
If You're Fully Vaccinated
Individuals who have received both doses of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine are not required to quarantine following exposure to someone with COVID-19 as long as:
- they remain asymptomatic
- are beyond two weeks following the receipt of their second vaccine
They are expected to wear a mask for 14 days or until a negative test result is received after testing on day 3-5 after last exposure.
If You are a Health Sciences Clinical Faculty Member, Fellow or Resident
- Clinical faculty, fellows, and residents should adhere to WVU Medicine policy and requirements for COVID-19 exposure.
- For information, call WVU Medicine's Employee Health COVID-19 hotline at 304-974-3200. Hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Common Questions
If You're Exposed to Someone Who's Potentially Positive
If you believe or know you have been exposed to someone who is potentially positive and is waiting to be tested for COVID-19 or someone who is potentially positive and is waiting on COVID-19 test results, you are at a medium risk of contracting COVID-19.
In this situation, you may not yet know as to whether you are determined to be a “close contact” but should do the following until additional guidance is provided:
- Routinely use masks and/or face coverings.
- Practice safe physical distancing.
- Monitor your symptoms for 14 days. If you develop symptoms, check what to do if you become symptomatic of COVID-19.
After the 14-day period, if you are asymptomatic, you can return to normal activities.
If You're Exposed to Someone Who May Have Been Exposed
If you believe you have been exposed to someone who may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are at a lower risk of contracting COVID-19.
In this situation, you should do the following:
- Routinely use masks and/or face coverings.
- Practice safe physical distancing.
- Monitor your symptoms for 14 days.
If you develop symptoms, check what to do if you become symptomatic of COVID-19.
If You Become Symptomatic
While in any of these scenarios, if you become symptomatic of COVID-19:
- You should isolate, which means to avoid contact with others, and call for medical advice.
- Students should call WVU Medicine Student Health at 304-285-7200.
- Employees should contact their primary care physician or WVU Medicine’s COVID-19 phone number at 304-598-6000 (Option 4).
If Your Symptoms Become Severe
- You should seek immediate medical attention; if you are having breathing problems, extremely high body temperature or other acute symptoms, you should call 911.
- Please let them know that you are in quarantine or isolation for COVID-19 and be sure to wear a mask/face covering if emergency medical services attend to you in any way.
If Your Situation is Not Covered Here
If your situation is not covered in the guidance above:
- Students based in Morgantown should contact WVU Medicine Student Health at 304-285-7200.
- Students on WVU divisional campuses should contact their Student Health Clinic, the local health department or the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources hotline at 1-800-887-4304 or 304-341-1579 if from WVU and using an out of state cell phone number.
- Faculty and staff should contact Shared Services at CareServices@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-6006 and their supervisor.
Key Contacts
The following offices and numbers are groups you may contact during this process:
- Shared Services: 304-293-6006
- WVU Medicine Student Health: 304-285-7200
- WVU Medicine: 304-598-6000 (Option 4)
Stop the Spread
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