COVID-19 Guidance
If You Are Sick with COVID-19
If you are sick with COVID-19, stay home and away from others. If you have to be around others, you should wear a mask. When you are feeling better, you can resume normal activities with precautions when you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines AND your other symptoms are improving. For at least 5 days after you resume normal activities, you should wear a mask around others, especially when you are in crowded indoor spaces. You should continue to wash your hands with soap and water and avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease.
If you are a healthcare provider and regularly provide in-person patient care, please check with your healthcare facility for return-to-work guidelines. View the Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidance for health care professionals.
Close Contacts
We ask that you inform your close contacts that they were exposed to COVID-19. Please advise them that careful symptom monitoring is recommended for all close contacts. If symptoms develop, close contacts should be tested.
Managing Symptoms
If you test positive for COVID-19, it is likely you will experience symptoms during your infection. Symptoms may include fatigue, fever, body aches, nasal congestion, sore throat, or cough. Please remember to rest and drink plenty of fluids throughout isolation. For fever or sore throat, take ibuprofen 600mg every 6 hours with food or Tylenol 500mg (if not allergic) every 4 hours. Taking hot showers and drinking hot fluids can also help with congestion.
If you experience any of the following, please call 24/7 Student Health Services at 617-353-3575: difficulty breathing or wheezing, persistent chest pain, or significant dizziness. If you are taking immunosuppressive medications, please call your specialist to discuss evaluation and treatment options. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call BUPD at 617-353-2121 (on campus) or 911 (off campus).
Academics
If you are temporarily unable to attend class, you should inform your professors. Students should reach out to their academic advisor for additional academic support during their COVID-19 infection.
Meals
If you do not have a meal plan and are sick with COVID-19, you are permitted to leave your residence to pick up food (or medications) and are encouraged to use delivery options when possible.
If you have a meal plan, you will have access to on-campus GrubHub Campus Dining at retail dining locations on campus, including the GSU Food Hall, for food ordering and pick-up (no delivery is available). Rhetty To Go is available for pick up at an open residential dining location. In addition to the Rhetty To Go menu options, students on a meal plan, and only if you are self-isolating, will be able to select a meal of the day from the dining hall menu (for take-out only).
Additional Resources
Have a problem or concern that you’re not sure who to talk to about? Undergraduates may contact the University Service Center to learn about their resources. International students can connect with the International Students & Scholars Office for on-call advising, help with travel plans, or other concerns.