Management of Exposure to and/or Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection
- In May 2023, the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration ended.
- Infections with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) continue to occur.
- New variants of SARS-CoV-2 will continue to emerge.
The CDC updated strategies to mitigate healthcare personnel staffing shortages in 2022.
- Vaccination status is no longer used to determine restrictions.
- Health care workers/students who have had a higher-risk exposure do not require restriction, regardless of vaccination status, unless they develop symptoms or test positive for SARS-CoV-2.
- Research College of Nursing does not require COVID vaccination.
If You Are Exposed to Someone With SARS-CoV-2 Infection (COVID-19)
- Wearing a mask, monitoring symptoms, and testing are recommended following confirmed exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
- Wear a high-quality mask anytime you are around others, after exposure.
- Continue these precautions for 10 full days (Day 1 is the first full day after your exposure).
- Get tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure (even if you don’t develop symptoms).
Continue taking precautions through day 10. - If you test positive for COVID-19 or are showing symptoms (e.g., fever >100, cough, shortness of breath), please isolate immediately.
Returning to Clinical/Class After Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection
This guidance is for an immunocompetent host, regardless of vaccination status.
If COVID-19 illness was mild to moderate, you may return to class/clinical if you meet all of the following:
- At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, if a negative COVID test (NAAT/PCR or antigen) is obtained within 48 hours prior to returning, and
- At least 24 hours must have passed since the last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
- Symptoms have improved
If COVID testing is not performed, you may not return until 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared; if the positive COVID test result was on days 5 to 7 after exposure, you may not return to work until 10 days have passed.
If you are exposed and develop symptoms or test positive for SARS-CoV-2, you should inform your course faculty and contact Maithe Enriquez, APRN, PhD by email or text at (816) 686-3242 for guidance about returning to clinical/class or if you have questions or concerns.