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 is recommended following confirmed exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
  • Wear a high-quality mask anytime you are around others, after the 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 air), please isolate immediately.

Returing to clinical/class after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection

(immunocompetent host, regardless of vaccination status):

If COVID-19 illness was mild to moderate, may return to class/clinical if:

- 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 last fever without the use of fever reducing medications (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen), and

- symptoms have improved.

(If COVID testing is not performed, 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, may not return to work until 10 days have passed).

If you are exposed and develop symptoms, or test positive for SARS-CoV-2: students should inform their course faculty and contact Maithe Enriquez, APRN, PhD by email or text Dr. Enriquez at 816-686-3242 for guidance about returning to clinical/class or if you have questions or concerns.

For further information please visit the CDC website.