Quarantine & Self-Isolation

Quarantine and self-isolation are two methods of preventing the spread of COVID-19 by separating a person away from others. CBU seeks to follow the comprehensive CDC guidance regarding quarantining and isolating.

Quarantine

In accordance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), quarantine may be necessary when you have been in close contact (within six feet of someone for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone who has COVID-19. Exposure to a positive case begins at two days prior to the onset of symptoms.

FULLY VACCINATED & EXPOSED to a suspected or confirmed COVID positive case:
People who are fully vaccinated (defined as two weeks after a two-shot series or two weeks after a one-dose shot) do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested at least five days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask indoors in public for 10 full days any time they are around others inside their home or in public. If a fully vaccinated individual is experiencing symptoms, they will need to get COVID tested immediately. Fully vaccinated individuals should isolate for at least five days if test result is positive.

PARTIALLY VACCINATED/NON-VACCINATED & EXPOSED to a suspected or confirmed COVID positive case:
Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals should stay home and quarantine for at least five full days.

Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department. 

Quarantine means staying in one’s home — not going to work, classes, athletic events, or other social gatherings. During this period, individuals should limit contact as much as possible, maintaining six feet of social distance from other individuals — including other residents of the home — at all times.

Resident Student Quarantines: CBU is following the guidelines outlined by the CDC and the Shelby County Health Department. As such, a quarantine period will last at least five full days from the date of last contact to a COVID positive individual. Between days three and five of quarantine, a COVID test will be scheduled. A member of the Residence Life professional staff will be the primary point of contact during the quarantine period.

Isolation

In accordance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), isolation is used to separate people infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from people who are not infected. Isolation lasts for a period of no less than five (5) days. After the completion of the isolation period, if one is still experiencing a fever, an individual must continue to isolate until one is fever free without the aid of medication for a period of 24 hours. This protocol applies to all vaccinated and exemption approved, non-vaccinated members of the campus community.

Isolation also means staying in one’s home — not going to work, classes, athletic events or other social gatherings — but this practice is for a varying amount of time. People who are in isolation should stay home until it is safe for them to be around others. In the home, anyone sick or infected should isolate by separating themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick room” or area and using a separate bathroom (if available).

If it becomes necessary to do so, students currently in on-campus housing will quarantine or self-isolate in off-campus housing such as a family home or in spaces designated by and/or provided through the University. A team of CBU staff is serving as liaisons to students in these spaces. This team will assist impacted students in coordinating move-in and move-out as well as access to food and will be assisting with health and wellness needs that arise. The team will also liaise with Student Success and CBU faculty to ensure that any necessary academic support or accommodation will be provided the student. A member of the Residence Life professional staff will be the primary point of contact during the quarantine period.

If it becomes necessary to do so, students who do not reside in campus housing will be required to self-isolate or quarantine in their off-campus housing or another suitable location. The University will provide remote check-in calls to off-campus students in isolation or quarantine, but will not provide housing or dining for those purposes. For off-campus students, CBU staff will also liaise with Student Success and CBU faculty to ensure that any necessary academic support or accommodation will be provided the student.