Last updated 1/13/22
For more information on this updated guidance, please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Dec. 27, 2021 media statement and follow updates to CDC’s Quarantine and Isolation page.
The Rhode Island Department of Health Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines are available here.
What is the new isolation guidance?
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status, must stay home and isolate for 5 days. After 5 days, you may leave your house if you have no symptoms, or your symptoms are improving. You must wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days. If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves. The University Contact Tracing team will contact all students who test positive and will work on appropriate isolation plans including going home versus being placed in University isolation space, if available.
What is the new quarantine guidance?
If you received a COVID-19 booster vaccine or completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months or completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last 2 months, you do not need to quarantine but should wear a mask around others for 10 days and test on day 5 if possible. If you develop symptoms, stay home, and get a test.
If you have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine more than 6 months ago and are not boosted or completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than 6 months ago and are not boosted or are not fully vaccinated, you must quarantine for at least 5 days. You should get a test on day 5 and continue to wear a mask for 5 additional days. If you develop symptoms, stay home, and get a test.
Why does CDC not require a test at the end of isolation?
Most COVID-19 transmission occurs 1 to 2 days before you first experience symptoms and 2 to 3 days after you first experience symptoms. Getting tested early (e.g., when you first experience symptoms or learn of a close contact) can help you know when to isolate and can help prevent further infection. Some people may continue to get a positive test result after their infectious period is over and they are no longer likely to spread COVID-19. It is more useful to test early on, when you may be infectious.
Why do those who end isolation after 5 days only require a face mask and not an N95?
Most COVID-19 transmission occurs 1 to 2 days before you first experience symptoms and 2 to 3 days after you first experience symptoms. Wearing a well-fitting mask following isolation will decrease the risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. Guidance on masks is available here. Respirators (e.g., N95s) are a useful option for personal protective equipment to protect people in specific settings, like hospitals.
Why are isolation recommendations the same for those who are unvaccinated, who have completed their primary series, and who have gotten a booster dose?
COVID-19 vaccination decreases the risk of infection, serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Booster doses help increase the protection you get from COVID-19 vaccines. Based on the available data, anyone with a COVID-19 infection is infectious (or can spread the virus) for the same amount of time, regardless of vaccination status. Early research on the Omicron variant tells us that people who are vaccinated but still get infected with Omicron (also known as “breakthrough cases”) are infectious for approximately the same amount of time as people who are unvaccinated.
Following exposure (or during isolation and in the 5 days following), do I need to wear a mask in my home?
CDC has always recommended that during periods of quarantine (and isolation) all members of the household should wear a well-fitted mask, even inside the home. If possible, one member of the household should care for the person who is in quarantine (or isolation) to limit potential exposures.
This is especially important if there are people who are unvaccinated, who have completed their primary series but have not gotten a booster dose, or who have compromised immune systems inside the home. Following exposure (or during isolation and in the 5 days following), individuals should continue to wear a mask at home.
I tested positive on a home kit and threw away the result. What do I do? If I test again, it may still be positive, but I do not want to isolate myself again.
Please go to the patient portal under the COVID-19 tab and upload your test date and positive result. We understand you will not be able to upload proof of the test.
For those with approved exemptions: You should not test for 90 days following your positive test result. After 90 days, resume testing once per week.
I am not able to schedule a COVID-19 test to return to campus (72 hours prior for PCR; 48 hours for Rapid/at-home – cannot find any at home kits), what should I do?
We understand that some students, depending on where they are living, will be unable to receive back-to-campus testing. Please try your best to get tested. If it is not possible, please test upon your return to campus (Asymptomatic at Memorial Union, Atrium 1; Symptomatic at Health Services Testing Trailer).
I tested positive and do not want to receive my booster until 90 days after my positive test result, is that OK?
The current recommendation from the CDC is to wait until you are out of isolation and fully back to normal health. Since you can get a mild reaction from the booster (not all do but some do), we would want to make sure you had no residual effects from the virus before you had your booster. If you feel well, you can schedule your booster when convenient for you or if you wish to wait, that is fine as well. Please be sure to read URI emails regarding vaccine/booster clinics on campus. Once you do receive your booster, please upload the information in your patient portal. Individuals who received monoclonal antibodies as part of their treatment plan will need to wait 90 days before getting a COVID booster.