COVID Exposure and Testing Protocols

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, get tested and stay home. If the test is positive, follow the guidelines for testing positive.

If You Test Positive for COVID-19, Isolate

• If you test positive using an at-home COVID-19 test, you should: Execute your personal isolation plan, stay away from others as much as possible, and if you must be around other people, wear a face mask.
• Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should stay home for 5 days.
• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can return to campus.
• Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
• You do not need to retest to “prove a negative test” to return to campus as long as you are fever free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medication) and symptoms are improving.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about your individual circumstances.

If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

Reporting Positive Cases

Students, faculty, and staff are no longer required to report positive COVID-19 cases or exposures. You are encouraged to monitor for symptoms and isolate when necessary.

As a reminder, the Office of the Dean of Students can assist students who experience any illness, including Covid-19. Dean of Students’ advocates can collect medical information and verify circumstances for instructors so that students don’t need to share medical or other sensitive information with multiple instructors. Note that excusing absences and missed work is at the discretion of the instructor; the Office of the Dean of Students does not have the authority to excuse absences.

Contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 219-989-4141 (Hammond) or 219-785-5230 (Westville), or at dos@pnw.edu.

If you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should:

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
• Test on day 5
  • If the test is negative, continue to come to campus and follow masking protocol.
  • If the test is positive, follow the positive testing protocols above.
• If you tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 30 days, it is only recommended to test for Covid-19 if you have been exposed to someone with Covid-19 and have symptoms of Covid-19. If you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 31 to 90 days, it is recommended to test for Covid-19 regardless of symptoms after exposure to someone with Covid-19.

If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.