Quarantine & Isolation

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In conjunction with Novant Health, Queens has developed a detailed process for reporting exposure and symptoms, following up with close contacts, testing, isolation, and quarantine.  

Here are some important definitions related to this section:

• Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. This would only apply to currently unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals.
• Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.  
• Exposure: According to the CDC, you have been exposed to COVID-19 if you have had close contact (even with masks) with one or more person(s) showing COVID-19 symptoms or with a confirmed COVID-19 test. 
• Close Contact is defined as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period.  Individual exposures added together over a 24 hour period (e.g. three 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes) constitute close contact.

Click here for a list of resources for those in quarantine or isolation.

REPORTING SYMPTOMS OR EXPOSURE  

Faculty and Staff

Vaccinated faculty and staff: If a member of faculty or staff has been vaccinated and has a confirmed exposure to someone with COVID-19, they may continue to come to campus and perform their work unless they have any COVID-19 symptoms. However, if the faculty or staff has any COVID-19 symptoms, they should remain at home and be tested as directed by physician (recommendation of 3-5 days) after the confirmed exposure.

• If the test returns a positive result, the faculty or staff member should isolate at home as described below. 

Unvaccinated faculty and staff: Faculty and staff who have COVID-19 symptoms or have a confirmed exposure to someone with COVID-19: 

• Do not come to campus, or if on campus, leave immediately and notify your supervisor. 
• Consult with your primary care provider.
• Complete the monitoring form and check in to be cleared to return to campus.  

Students  

Vaccinated students: If a student has been fully vaccinated and has a confirmed exposure to someone, they may continue to participate in campus activities unless they have any COVID-19 symptoms. However, if the student has any COVID-19 symptoms, they should be tested as directed by physician (recommendation of 3-5 days) after the confirmed exposure.  

• If the test returns a positive result, the student will be subject to isolation protocols as described below under “Isolation."
• If the test returns a negative result, the student will be NOT be subject to quarantine protocols and should follow the direction of their medical provider and consult with Health and Wellness.

Unvaccinated commuter/non-residential students who have been exposed to COVID-19 or are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms:  

• Do not come to campus, or if on campus, leave immediately. 
• Consult with your primary care provider or be referred to a Novant telehealth resource.
• Notify Health & Wellness Center by email to perryj@queens.edu or (704) 337-2220. Isolate or quarantine at home.   
• Complete the monitoring form and check in to be cleared to return to campus.  

Unvaccinated residential students who have been exposed to COVID-19 or are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms:

• The student should call campus police.  
• Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Health & Wellness staff will follow up with the student to confirm symptoms.  
• After 5:00 p.m.: A Residence Life professional staff member on duty will follow up with student to confirm symptoms and coordinate isolation plan if necessary.  
• If the student is symptomatic or tests positive for COVID-19, contact tracers will work with the student to identify people they were in close contact with two days prior to their symptoms beginning or a positive test. 

QUARANTINE 

If an unvaccinated residential student has been exposed to COVID-19, even if they are asymptomatic or if a vaccinated residential student is showing COVID-19 symptoms:  

• If appropriate, Student Life will coordinate relocating the student for quarantine. University staff will coordinate regular check-ins and the delivery of meals and other essential supplies.  
• The student will be asked to quarantine for 10 days from the date of potential exposure in order to monitor for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 via the monitoring form.  
• As part of the monitoring, the student will be asked to take their temperature twice daily with a thermometer and report to Health & Wellness Center staff at (704) 337-2220 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. if they experience any of the following:  
  • Temperature over 100.1 degrees Fahrenheit if using a standard thermometer, or 99.7 if using an infrared thermometer 
  • 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  

• Students will be asked to call 911 if they develop any of the following: shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest discomfort, altered thinking or cyanosis. 
• Students will be asked to adhere to the following guidelines:  
  • Stay in room  
  • No visitors  
  • Follow guidance of healthcare provider  
• Student life will coordinate meal delivery.

• After 3-5 days post-contact a PCR/Antigen test will be organized/administered, and a final Antigen test performed on day 10.

• If after 10 days of quarantine the student does not become symptomatic, they should consult with Health and Wellness on whether they can discontinue quarantine.   

ISOLATION 

If the (vaccinated or unvaccinated) student is or becomes symptomatic: 

• If the student is already in quarantine off-campus, they will remain in isolation at that location until further instructed. 
• University officials will email isolation instructions. 
• A healthcare professional will arrange for a telehealth visit to assess symptoms, further treatment, and need for testing. 
• The student will be asked to self-isolate for 10 days and remain socially vigilant and masked for 14 days to monitor symptoms consistent with COVID-19. 
• Students will be asked to report symptoms twice daily to Health & Wellness Center staff. 
• Students will be asked to call 911 if they develop any of the following: shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest discomfort, altered thinking or cyanosis. 
• Results of COVID-19 testing, if applicable, as coordinated through our process will be shared with Health & Wellness. 
• Students will be asked to adhere to the following isolation guidelines: 
  • Stay in room 
  • No visitors 
  • Follow guidance of healthcare provider 
• Student life or athletics will coordinate meal delivery.
• Students should consult with Health & Wellness (704) 337-2220 to determine whether they may discontinue isolation.