Isolation Guidelines for Faculty and Staff

This page will help you understand what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 as an employee of the University, including isolation timelines and when you can report back to work.

How long to isolate

Individuals may end isolation five full days after they test positive if they have never experienced symptoms, OR five days after the onset of symptoms if they are fever-free for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved. Those whose symptoms have not improved may need to isolate for the full 10-day period.

What to do once isolation ends

Once isolation ends, the individual should wear a well-fitting surgical, N95 or KN95 mask while around others for an additional five days. Non-clinical employees do not need to have a note from their primary care provider to return to work if seeking to end isolation after day 5.

Medical Center employee instructions

All direct care or patient-facing health care workers as well as those who work for UR Medicine whose job responsibilities require in-person presence should follow the standard “return to work” processes as outlined by Strong Memorial Hospital Employee Health.