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FAQs COVID-19

Definitions:

*Close contact is defined by the CDC to be < 6 feet of proximity for ≥15 minutes. For more information on this definition, see this CDC website.

**Exposure– A person is determined to have been “exposed” if they had close contact* with:

  • A person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (laboratory-confirmed or who has a clinically compatible illness) and has symptoms in the period:
    • From 2 days before symptom onset
    • Until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation
  • A person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (laboratory-confirmed) but has no symptoms in the period:
    • From 2 days before the date of specimen collection
    • Until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation
  • Additional guidance on exposure can be found on this CDC website

When should I wear a mask in a System Offices facility?

  • When you are working within a System Offices facility, you must wear a face covering in all common areas – lobbies, hallways, elevators, meeting rooms, restrooms, breakrooms, etc.
  • You should also wear a face covering when entering the office or work area of another person.
  • A face covering is not required when you are in your own office or work area, except when someone else enters your office or work area and may pass within 6 feet of your workstation.

How do I know if I have been in close contact with someone who has been lab confirmed to have COVID-19?

  • If your potential exposure** was due to a close contact* within the System Offices, you will be notified by a member of the TAMUS Infectious Disease and Response Team (IDRT) with instructions on when it will be safe to re-enter a System Offices facility. You will be instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days since your date of last exposure and to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If your potential exposure came from a family member or close contact outside of a System Offices facility, you will be notified by your County Health Officials. It is possible that a close contact may reach out to you directly to self-disclose that they have been lab confirmed to have COVID-19. If you receive a notification that you have been in close contact with someone who has been lab confirmed to have COVID-19, you should not come back to a System Offices facility and should immediately send an email with your contact information to IDRT@tamus.edu.

I have had close contact* with a person who is awaiting test results for COVID-19 due to symptoms or exposure. What should I do?

  • If you have had close contact exposure** to someone who is awaiting test results for COVID-19 due to symptoms or exposure, you should immediately send an email with your contact information to IDRT@tamus.edu. Do not re-enter a System Offices facility according to the guidelines below.
  • If the COVID-19 test results of the close contact return positive, you should follow the guidance listed under “I have had close contact* with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?” within this document.
    • Employees who have had close contact with a person who is awaiting test results for COVID-19 due to symptoms or exposure should closely monitor their daily health and use this COVID-19 Self-Checker to help determine if they should be tested for COVID-19.
  • If the COVID-19 test results of the close contact return negative and you have not had any additional exposure to lab-confirmed COVID-19 persons and are not experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, you should work with your supervisor to determine the best date of your return to work in a System Offices facility.

I am experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. What should I do?

  • If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately.
  • If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, and are experiencing symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and send an email with your contact information to IDRT@tamus.edu
  • Do not enter a System Offices facility if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If you think you may have COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms, you can be with others after:
    • Fever free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medication) and
    • Improvement in symptoms and
    • At least 10 days have passed since COVID-19 symptoms first appeared
      • Persons with a weakened immune system (due to a health condition or medication) or that have had severe illness from COVID-19 may need to stay home and isolate longer, possibly up to 20 days after symptom onset.
    • Follow the CDC Guidance listed here for steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick.

I have had close contact* with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?

  • If you have had close contact exposure** with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 you should immediately send an email with your contact information to IDRT@tamus.edu.
  • Stay home for 14 days after the last day you had close contact with that person. Do not return to a System Offices facility during your 14 day self-quarantine.
  • You should monitor yourself for the appearance of COVID-19 symptoms and use this COVID-19 Self-Checker to help determine if you should be tested for COVID-19.
  • If you feel healthy but recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19, you should check your temperature twice a day and watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If possible, you should stay away from people who are at higher-risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
  • You should work directly with your supervisor to determine when you will return to work within a System Offices facility.

I have been tested for COVID-19 due to symptoms and/or exposure, but have not yet received the test results. What should I do?

  • Employees who are symptomatic and awaiting test results for COVID-19 should not return to a System Offices facility and send an email with your contact information to IDRT@tamus.edu. You should follow the guidance listed under “I am experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. What should I do?”
  • Employees who are asymptomatic but are pending test results for COVID-19 due to exposure** to a person with a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 should not return to a System Offices facility and remain in isolation until the results of their COVID-19 test is returned.
    • If you are tested for COVID-19 due to exposure, and your test results return negative, you should follow the guidance listed under “I have had close contact* with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?”
    • If you are tested for COVID-19 due to exposure, and your test results return positive, but you remain asymptomatic, you should not return to a System Offices facility and remain in isolation until 10 days have passed since your positive test.
      • You should follow the guidance listed under “I have tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?”
      • If you continue to have no symptoms, you can be with others after 10 days have passed since you had a positive viral test for COVID-19. Most people do not require testing to decide when they can be around others; however, if your healthcare provider recommends testing, they will let you know when you can resume being around others based on your test results.
      • If you develop symptoms after testing positive, follow the guidance above for “I have tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?”

I have tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?

  • Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 should remain in isolation at their home except to get medical care. Please follow these steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick.
  • Contact your primary care provider, let them know you tested positive and ask them what you need to do to recover from COVID-19.
  • Send an email to the System Offices Infectious Disease Response Team (IDRT) with your contact information.
  • Complete the employee portion of the TAMUS COVID-19 Reporting Portal.
  • Follow additional information and instructions provided by the IDRT.
  • Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 may only be released from isolation and resume working within a System Offices facility according to guidance from their healthcare provider and in accordance with this CDC protocol. Employees should coordinate this return to the office date with their supervisor.