RC Student COVID Reporting and Return Procedures

These procedures have been revised to align with recently updated guidance from the California Department of Public Health and Cal-OSHA.  These COVID guidelines are for students who take classes on campus and/or work on campus.

Positive COVID Test and/or Symptoms (Regardless of Vaccination Status)

If you experience any COVID symptoms OR if you test positive for COVID-19:

  • Stay home and self-isolate. Do not come onto campus.
  • Contact your instructors for instructions on how to stay current with your classes during isolation.
  • Report symptoms and/or positive test via your campus COVID reporting system.
  • You will be asked to provide the date of symptom onset, date of positive test, date you were last on campus, etc. You will be contacted and given instructions on isolation and how you can be cleared to return to campus.

If you are a student worker, in ADDITION to the instructions above, you also must:

  • Submit proof of positive PCR or an antigen test result to HR
  • Not return to work on- site until you have satisfied the criteria provided by

ISOLATION GUIDELINES

Students testing positive will need to isolate for 10 days from the date of symptom onset or date of testing, if asymptomatic.  You can return to campus on day 11 as long as your symptoms have resolved.   

Isolation can be shortened to 5 days if symptoms are not present or are resolving (fever-free for 24 hours) and a rapid antigen test administered on day 5 or later is negative. A negative PCR test will also be accepted. PCR tests are available free of charge at campus testing centers.  If you meet the criteria to return to campus after 5 days of isolation, you must wear a well-fitting face covering (surgical mask, KN95 mask or N95     mask only) when around others (indoors or outdoors) for a total of 10 days from onset of symptoms or date of test.

COVID Close Contact Exposure

If you have had close contact with an individual who has symptoms of COVID and/or has tested positive for COVID-19:

Regardless of vaccination status, if you were exposed but are not experiencing symptoms, you are not required to quarantine.  Monitor for symptoms and test within 3-5 days of last exposure.  Per CDPH, close contacts should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the exposure date, or until negative COVID test. If you had COVID-19 in the last 90 days, only test if you have new symptoms, using an antigen test.

If symptoms develop and/or you subsequently test positive, you will need to isolate and follow the protocol for positive COVID Test and/or Symptoms. 

QUARANTINE GUIDELINES

Quarantine can end after day 5 if symptoms are not present and a rapid antigen test administered on day 5 or later is negative. You will need to provide your campus Nurse with proof of a negative rapid antigen test result. A negative PCR test will also be accepted. PCR tests are available free of charge at the campus testing centers.

If you meet the criteria to return to campus after 5 days of quarantine, CDPH recommends wearing a well-fitting face covering (surgical mask, KN95 mask or N95     mask only) when around others (indoors or outdoors) for a total of 10 days from date of your most recent close contact exposure.  The RC Health office has masks available for students.

 *Close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person masked or unmasked, indoor or outdoor, for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, cumulative time, during the infectious period.

*Rapid antigen tests that are self-administered and self-read will NOT be accepted. Home rapid antigen tests that are completed via telehealth with a licensed medical professional are accepted.

*COVID-19 Symptoms include:  Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

 

For questions or concerns, please contact the Health Services Office

Call: 559-494-3028 or Email: healthservices@reedleycollege.edu