Student Quarantine and Isolation Guide

Home antigen testing is increasingly being used to rapidly diagnose COVID-19 and isolate people quickly to prevent the spread of infection. Common uses include:

• when having symptoms of COVID-19.
• after being exposed to COVID-19.
• before going to an event or before being in contact with someone who is immunocompromised.
• when coming back from travel.
• determining if getting out of isolation early (AFTER day 5) is safe for those around you.
   

Please refer to the scenarios below for guidance.

• My home test is NEGATIVE, and I don’t have any symptoms of COVID-19
  • See "What to do if you were exposed", and do not have symptoms.
• My home test is NEGATIVE, and I have symptoms of COVID-19 (even mild)
  • You don’t have evidence of COVID-19 today, but it may be another viral infection, i.e. cold or flu, or is COVID-19 that has not been detected this early in your illness. Continue to isolate at home until your symptoms have resolved so you don’t spread this illness. In 48 hours, repeat a test (preferably a PCR test, but can use another home antigen test) whether you still have symptoms or not.
• My home test is POSITIVE and I DON’T have symptoms. Please IMMEDIATELY:
  • Report on your Daily Screener that you have been diagnosed with COVID-19
  • Upload your result.  Go to the test uploader in your COVID-19 Info tab in your Portal. Write on the cartridge/card/stick itself your name, date of birth, and the test date and upload a PDF, JPEG or .png of your test cartridge/card/stick with results plainly visible.
  • Report to the SLO County Department of Public Health that you have a positive home test.
  • Start your 10 day isolation. To calculate your isolation period, Day 0 is your first day of symptoms or the day of your positive test (if you are asymptomatic). Day 1 is the first full day after symptoms develop, or the first full day after your positive test if you do not experience symptoms. If you develop symptoms after testing positive, your isolation period starts over. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed.
  • Follow further emailed instructions from COVID-19 Help
• My home test is POSITIVE and I DO have symptoms. Please IMMEDIATELY:
  • Report on your Daily Screener that you have been diagnosed with COVID-19
  • Upload your result.  Go to the test uploader in your COVID-19 Info tab in your Portal. Write on the cartridge/card/stick itself your name, date of birth, and the test date and upload a PDF, JPEG or .png of your test cartridge/card/stick with results plainly visible.
  • Report to the SLO County Department of Public Health that you have a positive home test.
  • Start isolation for 10 days.  Your first day of isolation is the date that you did your home test. For example, if your home test was positive on October 2nd, your isolation will be October 2nd - October 12th and you will be released on October 13th.
  • Follow further emailed instructions from the COVID-19 Help.

We are asking all students to monitor their health. Stay home if you feel sick and wear a high-quality mask when you are around others. If you think you may have symptoms of COVID-19, you may use a home test, seek a test off-campus, or walk-in during business hours to Health Services in Building 27 for evaluation and testing.

If your first COVID-19 test was negative, repeat a test in 48 hours regardless if you still have symptoms or not. This second test is optimally a PCR test but can also be a home antigen test.  If the second test is negative, you most likely have another illness, not COVID-19. Stay home if you have symptoms of any illness to prevent spreading illness in your community.

Students who are symptomatic should self-isolate in their rooms and wear a high-quality mask until their diagnosis is known. People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness, but a recent variant usually has very mild symptoms, similar to a mild cold. Symptoms may appear two to fourteen days after exposure to the virus. 

If you have worrisome symptoms of COVID-19, please seek medical care even if you are fully immunized and have received a booster, and/or you have already had COVID. It is possible to have breakthrough cases of COVID-19 despite vaccinations and you can, unfortunately, get COVID-19 more than once. Though these cases are possibly less severe, you are still infectious to others.  

Symptoms may include:

• Fever or 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

Exposure

Use the CDC guide to assess your exposure risk. You should take precautions to keep others safe by monitoring yourself, get tested, and quarantine if appropriate.

1. Wear a high-quality mask around others for a total of 10 days following your last exposure. This means avoiding situations where you would need to remove your mask around others, such as eating at a restaurant.  It is especially critical in indoor settings and when near those at higher risk for severe COVID-19.
2. Watch for symptoms for the next 14 days.  
3. Get tested.  
   • If you develop symptoms that might be COVID, do a home test, go to an off-campus testing site, or walk-in to Health Services during business hours in Building 27. You do not have to wait for Day 5 after exposure to test, you can test as soon as your symptoms start.
   • If you are asymptomatic, wait for Day 5 after your last exposure and test.  Example: you last saw a friend on October 3rd. They had a test done on October 2nd and just got their positive results. The last day you saw them was on October 3rd, so test on or after October 8.
4. Report on your Daily Screener.
5. Do I need to quarantine?

• You must quarantine (mandatory) if you 
  • are a resident in a high-risk setting (emergency shelters and cooling and heating centers, healthcare settings, correctional facilities, detention centers, homeless shelters, long-term care settings, and adult and senior care facilities). If this applies to you, please notify COVID-19 Help by text at (805) 242-3204 or email at COVID-help@calpoly.edu. Note that your campus pass will be yellow through your quarantine period.
• You are recommended to quarantine if you 
  • have experienced high-risk exposure. Examples include exposure from someone in your household or from an intimate partner, or from unmasked activities with increased exertion, voice projection, or face-to-face contact such as indoor group singing or contact sports. 
  • are more likely to become infected because you are immunocompromised or not vaccinated. 
  • If you elect to quarantine, please notify COVID-19 Help by text at (805) 242-3204 or email at COVID-help@calpoly.edu. Note that your campus pass will be yellow through your quarantine period.
• If you do not fall into either of these categories to quarantine, please follow the above rules for exposure and wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask for 10 days when around others.

    6. If you are employed on or off campus, contact your employer for workplace-specific instructions that may be different from Cal Poly. 

See Quarantine instructions below and the SLO County Public Health Order for Quarantine. 

Isolation separates those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 from others for 10 days to prevent spreading the infection. If you are in isolation, you should monitor your health and seek medical attention if your condition worsens or if you need help.

• Once you've uploaded a positive result or tested positive at CH&W, you will receive an email from COVID-19 Help with further instructions.
• You will have an opportunity to qualify for a possible early isolation release – see “How to be officially released at the end of your isolation period.”
• If you want to leave the area to isolate in another location, please see instructions below under “Additional Support for All Students: Can I travel if I’m on county-mandated orders?”

Stay at home.

• Do not leave your residence except for obtaining medical care or in the event of an emergency. Do not travel until a full 10 days have passed (see below section "Additional Support for all students: can I travel if I'm on county-mandated orders?"). Do not attend class, work, restaurants, grocery stores, or any public gathering or place.
• Do not have any visitors or contact with delivery people.
• Avoid sharing dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets. After using these items, wash them thoroughly with soap and water.
• See below for possible early release from isolation.

Monitor your health.

• Self-monitor body temperature and overall health and wellness.
• Call Campus Health and Wellbeing at 805-756-1211 if you develop any worrisome symptoms of COVID-19 during the 10-day period or have any other concerns.
• Call Cal Poly Counseling Services at (805) 756-2511 if you have any mental health concerns. Crisis care is available.
• Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have emergency medical needs such as difficulty breathing, chest pressure, or confusion.

Wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask around others for a full 10 days.

• Even if you are released early, you must wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days, meaning that you will not be able to eat with others. The best mask is an N95.  A friend can pick these up for you on campus.

If you are at a higher risk of severe disease, such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or obesity, contact your medical provider and ask about treatment options.

Notify your close contacts that they have been exposed.

• Use the CDC guide to assess exposure risk. 
  • The infectious period for COVID-19 starts 2 days before your symptoms appear (or 2 days before your positive test if you did not have symptoms) and continues until the end of your isolation.
• Exposed contacts who are Cal Poly students should identify themselves on the Daily Screener for further instructions.

If you have in-person classes, labs or are employment on or off campus, please read guidance on the instructor notification of student absences process in your syllabi and report any illness to your employer.

Your isolation period will be determined by:

• To calculate your isolation period, Day 0 is your first day of symptoms or the day of your positive test (if you are asymptomatic). Day 1 is the first full day after symptoms develop, or the first full day after your positive test if you do not experience symptoms.

• If you develop symptoms after testing positive, your isolation period starts over. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed.

• Any other definition of isolation dates must be documented in writing by the SLO Public Health Department or the county in which you were tested. Please reply to your isolation email with documentation from the SLO Public Health Department attached for review.

Follow the advice of your health care provider, the university and/or local public health officials.

COVID-19 Help will send an email regarding Isolation in Place (IIP). Remain in your room with the door closed as much as possible.

Per our local Public Health officials: 

• Wear a mask at all times in your room, unless you do not have any roommates. Ask a friend to obtain N95 masks for you on campus as they are the best mask.
• You are strongly encouraged to share the news with your roommates, so that everyone can take appropriate precautions.
• Keep your door to your room closed and windows open as much as possible.

The following exceptions are allowed while wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask. Keep trips brief and then return directly to your room:  

• Use the common bathroom. If possible, avoid heavy traffic times.  Always keep your mask on except when brushing your teeth/brief showering.
• Pick up food on-campus after ordering on GrubHub. Eat in your room away from others.
• Pick up food outside your residence after being delivered by an off-campus restaurant or other delivery services. Eat in your room away from others.
• Use the laundry facilities in your building. If possible, avoid heavy traffic times.
• Sit outside, away from others to get fresh air.  You can go for a walk alone. Please wear your mask.

You are not permitted to: 

• Go to in-person classes, labs, or workplaces
• Leave the Cal Poly campus, except for an emergency evacuation. 
• Be with others in groups.
• Attend group events like religious services, outdoor concerts, and other gatherings that bring people together. 
• Utilize the Recreation Center. 
• Enter other residential communities.

This process is mandatory to ensure that you have recovered, and our campus stays safe.

A shortened Isolation period ​(a minimum of five days, released on Day 6 at the earliest) is considered only if:

• You have resolving symptoms, AND
• You have not had a fever for more than 24 hours, and you have not been taking fever medications, AND
• You have a negative DIAGNOSTIC or HOME ANTIGEN TEST done on Day five or later, AND
• Agree to wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask for a full 10-day period when around others, especially indoors.  This means that you will not be able to eat with others.

What type of test qualifies for a possible early isolation release?

All students, on- and off-campus, have two options for early release testing. Wait until at least Day 5 of your illness to do this test. 

• A diagnostic antigen test at an off-campus facility that can provide an official result. Notify COVID-19 Help by replying to your isolation order email from COVID-19 Help with your official result attached (PDF, JPEG, PNG). It must include your full name, date of birth, collection date of test, type of test, result of test, and laboratory name. Do not upload your negative test through your portal.

• You can use a home antigen test for this purpose. Notify COVID-19 Help that you have a negative Day 5 result by replying to their isolation email and attach a PDF, JPEG or PNG of your negative antigen test.  Please write on the test cartridge/card/stick itself your full name, date of birth, and date of test.  The result must be visible. Do not upload your negative test through your portal.

After receiving your negative Day 5 or after antigen test, COVID-19 Help will review your information, and if you have attested to the above requirements, you will receive a Green Pass ​and be informed via email. You will be able to go to class, lab, group settings, but must wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask through Day 10.  You will be able to go to dining facilities, but cannot eat indoors or outdoors around others.

If the student tests positive on their Day 5 test, is unable to or chooses not to test for a possible early isolation release, the student will be automatically released at the end of their isolation period (minimum 10 days) and receive an email that their pass is updated.

If a student continues to test positive after their 10-day isolation period, they should continue to wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask until their antigen test is negative.

Students who are immunocompromised should verify with their medical provider regarding the length of their isolation period and notify COVID-19 Help regarding any extension.

If you develop symptoms after early release, please seek medical care and get another test.

If you are not recovering and not feeling well, please contact your healthcare provider or Campus Health & Wellbeing for further instructions.

This section pertains only to students who are in quarantine (must stay home) because of exposure amid high-risk circumstances. 

Per our local Public Health officials:

• Wear a mask at all times in your room, unless you do not have any roommates.   Ask a friend to obtain N95 masks for you on campus as they are the best mask.
• You are strongly encouraged to share the news with your roommates so that everyone can take appropriate precautions.
• Keep your door to your room closed and windows open as much as possible.

The following exceptions are allowed while wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask. Keep trips brief and then return directly to your room:

• Use the common bathroom. If possible, avoid heavy traffic times.  Always keep your mask on except when brushing your teeth/brief showering.
• Pick up food on-campus after ordering on GrubHub. Eat in your room away from others.
• Pick up food outside your residence after being delivered by an off-campus restaurant or other delivery services. Eat in your room away from others.
• Use the laundry facilities in your building. If possible, avoid heavy traffic times.
• Sit outside, away from others to get fresh air.  You can go for a walk alone. Please wear your mask.

You are not permitted to:

• Go to in-person classes, labs, or workplaces
• Leave the Cal Poly campus, except for an emergency evacuation. 
• Be with others in groups.
• Attend group events like religious services, outdoor concerts, and other gatherings that bring people together. 
• Utilize the Recreation Center. 
• Enter other residential communities.

This section pertains only to students who are in quarantine (must stay home) because of exposure amid high-risk circumstances. 

• Remain in your residence with the door closed, ideally in a room by yourself.    
• You will be prohibited from visiting campus during this time for any reason except for testing or medical care. Your daily self-screening pass will be disabled throughout your quarantine and your pass will be yellow.  
• Food and essential supplies.  Consider using a delivery service such as Instacart.  Arrange a safe delivery.  A  County quarantine order prohibits you from visiting stores or restaurants.  If you need assistance beyond what your household members can provide, please call the SLO County Public Health Department at (805) 781-5500.   
• Please follow the SLO County Public Health Quarantine Instructions 
   

This section pertains only to students who are in quarantine (must stay home) because of exposure amid high-risk circumstances. Please see Exposure and Quarantine Overview for details.

Please make sure your community stays safe by following these instructions for possible early release from quarantine: 

A shortened quarantine period (a minimum of five days, released on Day 6 at the earliest) is considered only if: 

• You are asymptomatic, AND 
• You have a negative COVID-19 test done on Day five or later, AND 
• You agree to wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask for a full 10-day period when around others, especially indoors. This means that you will not be able to eat with others. 

What type of test qualifies for a possible early quarantine release after 5 days? 

All students, on- and off-campus, have two options for early release testing. Wait until at least Day 5 of your illness to do this test. 

• A diagnostic antigen test at an off-campus facility that can provide an official result. Notify COVID-19 Help by replying to your isolation order email from COVID-19 Help with your official result attached (PDF, JPEG, PNG). It must include your full name, date of birth, collection date of test, type of test, result of test, and laboratory name. Do not upload your negative test through your portal.

• You can use a home antigen test for this purpose. Notify COVID-19 Help that you have a negative Day 5 result by replying to their isolation email and attach a PDF, JPEG or PNG of your negative antigen test.  Please write on the test cartridge/card/stick itself your full name, date of birth, and date of test.  The result must be visible. Do not upload your negative test through your portal.

After receiving your negative Day 5 or after antigen test, COVID-19 Help will review your information, and if you have attested to the above requirements, you will receive a Green Pass ​and be informed via email. 

If the student tests positive on their Day 5 test, is unable to or chooses not to test for a possible early quarantine release, the student will be automatically released at the end of their isolation period (minimum 10 days) and receive an email that their pass is updated.

• Please remember to continue to wear your well-fitted mask around others through Day 10. 
• You will be able to go to class, lab, and other group activities with a high-quality, well-fitting mask on, indoors and outdoors. 
• You will be able to go to dining facilities for grab and go meals but cannot eat indoors or outdoors with others. You will not be able to eat with others until 10 total days have passed. 
• If you develop symptoms after early release, you may use a home test, seek a test off-campus, or walk-in during business hours to Health Services in Building 27 for evaluation and testing. 

If a student is unable to or chooses not to test for a possible early quarantine release, the student will be automatically released at the end of their quarantine period (minimum 10 days) and receive an email that their pass is updated. 

Health Services has a 24/7 after-hours nurse advice line to discuss any health-related concerns privately and confidentially: 805-756-1211

Counseling Services remains committed to supporting the well-being of all students during these challenging times. Visit the Counseling website for more information or call to schedule an appointment: 805-756-2511

Students may make arrangements — as like any other student who misses class due to illness — by coordinating directly with the faculty member to develop arrangements that allow them to receive credit for missed assignments or activities. While faculty are not obligated to do so, arrangements can include:

• A notetaker (while maintaining the confidentiality of the ill student)
• Virtual or makeup exams/classwork
• Other virtual opportunities to maintain engagement

The DRC can help with COVID situations when it affects a student's existing disability or if a student presents with Long COVID. If you continue to experience long-term symptoms that might be associated with your initial COVID diagnosis and would need to explore accommodations related to Long COVID, then please complete DRC’s Student Online Application found on the DRC website and submit documentation completed by your doctor or healthcare provider with the following information:

• A clear diagnosis or statement indicating Long COVID
• A description of your functional limitations associated with your diagnosis
• A description of severity level
• Any medication you might be taking to treat your symptoms, if applicable
• An estimated timeline for recovery

DRC medical documentation guidelines can also be found here.

DRC Contact Information:

Website: DRC Website

Location: Bldg 124 (Student Services, across from Spanos Stadium)

Disability Resource Center

Email: DRC@calpoly.edu

Phone: 805-756-1395

First-year college students with academic questions and concerns should contact the Mustang Success Center. Continuing students and incoming transfer students should contact their college advising center.