Sorry you’re not feeling well and have tested positive for COVID-19. We want to make sure you understand your responsibilities and the resources available to you as a student.
Isolation
- Notify health services by completing the COVID Reporting Form. This is important because it allows health services staff members to identify students who may benefit from treatment.
- Students living on campus should isolate themselves in their own rooms to the best of their abilities, unless they want to go home or elsewhere.
- There are no designated separate isolation spaces for resident students.
- You are to remain in your own room except to use the bathroom, pick up food, go to a medical provider, or attend to other necessities.
- You should consider using a delivery service for meals, or enlisting the help of family and friends. Residents can pick up deliveries or meals from the dining hall using GrubHub linked to PrattBucks or a mealplan.
- You should avoid close contact with anyone inside/outside of your room. Try to maintain a distance of six feet between yourself and others, if possible.
- You are required to wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask as much as possible and when around others.
- You should not go to classes, work, or participate in social activities.
- Reach out to your professors to make plans for navigating your academic work while you are in isolation. If you need assistance with this please contact Martha Cedarholm, Director of Student Support and Advocacy.
- If you have additional health concerns about yourself or your roommate, please contact Health Services.
- If you need help talking with those you live with about COVID, the staff of Residential Life and Housing is available to assist you.
Duration of Isolation
Students who test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms should isolate right away. Stay home until you have no fever for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicine AND other COVID-19 symptoms are getting better.
- Students may leave isolation and return to classes when their symptoms have improved AND they are fever-free for 24 hours without taking medication to suppress the fever.
- Afterwards, for a full 5 days after completing isolation, students are expected to use take-out dining and wear a high-quality mask when outside of their room around others.
Strategies for Minimizing Contact with Your Roommate
- Keep six feet of distance as much as possible.
- Arrange the room and beds, so that sleepers’ heads are as far apart as possible.
- Open the window as long as the weather allows.
- Please work to communicate with each other to respect each other’s needs.
Symptom Management
Manage your symptoms the way you would a typical illness.
- Do not take any medication to which you have a known allergy
- Examples of self care medications:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) per package instructions for management of fever, headache, sore throat, aches and pains unless you are allergic
- Honey and lemon for cough
- Over-the-counter medications can help with coughs and nasal congestion
Be cautious mixing medications as some have multiple ingredients.
If you feel you need medical evaluation, please call Health Services at 718.399.4542 during business hours. If Health Services is closed and you feel you need medical evaluation, please seek care at an urgent care center or the Emergency Room.
Antiviral Treatment
Antiviral treatments are available for those that are at high risk for severe complications from COVID-19.
You may be eligible for treatment with an antiviral medication if you have a medical condition that is associated with a higher risk for severe COVID-19.
If you have any of these medical conditions, please contact Health Services to discuss if treatment may be an option.
Counseling Services
We know that isolation isolating can be difficult and stressful.
Tips for Mental Wellness During Isolation:
- Keep a schedule that includes a good amount of sleep and regular activity.
- Use positive coping strategies, such as meditation or mindfulness, reading, listening to music, and journaling. Learn more.
- Attend to your wellness needs and prioritize your mental health. Find new ways to cope with new situations.
- If you are experiencing mental health issues, consider contacting the counseling center for a virtual appointment. In order to schedule an appointment, contact therapy@pratt.edu.