Boosters
What is the latest guidance on vaccines and boosters?
Vaccines and boosters continue to be the most effective way to protect individuals from serious illness or hospitalization. UMW continues to strongly encourage students and employees to get vaccinated/boosted as soon as they are eligible. Giant will be on campus on Aug. 21, Sept. 17, Oct. 23 and Nov. 21 at the CRUC from 10am-3pm for vaccinations with the newest COVID vaccination, Flu vaccination and others that you might need.
How do I know if I am eligible for a booster?
Check the CDC website for more information.
Masking
Are masks required on UMW property?
Masks are no longer required anywhere on UMW property, except healthcare settings when you are sick (Student Health Center, Talley Center for Counseling Services, Athletic Training room). However, the wearing of a well-fitting mask is highly effective at preventing the spread of the coronavirus, including its variants. We especially recommend KN95 masks, double masking, or equivalent masks.
What if I still want to wear a mask?
Of course you can. There still are people within our community who are vulnerable and will continue to take additional measures to keep themselves safe. Others will simply feel more comfortable wearing their masks and practicing physical distancing. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 would also wear masks. We should all continue to treat each other with kindness and respect, particularly as people make individual decisions about if or when to wear a mask. We also encourage members of our campus community to put on their mask if another individual requests they do so, particularly in smaller, indoor settings.
Where can I get a high-quality mask?
Masks will be available at the Student Health Center upon request.
Will you change these policies again?
As we have throughout the pandemic, we will continue to adjust to public health conditions on campus and in the surrounding community, considering and reconsidering any health mitigation options as needed.
Wellness
I don’t feel well. What should I do?
If you aren’t feeling well, whether or not you think it’s COVID, please wear a mask and take precautions. Get rest, drink plenty of fluids and seek testing (OTC testing kit is available at most pharmacies). Please seek medical attention at the Student Health Center or local urgent care as needed. Let your professors or supervisors know why you are missing class or work.
If I am isolating by avoiding contact with others, how can I get food?
There is online ordering (Grubhub) and take-out options. You may utilize these options while doing your best to avoid contact with others. Wear a mask around others.
What are things I can do to prevent the spread of infectious diseases on campus?
They include simple everyday preventive measures, such as staying away from other people when you are sick, covering your coughs and sneezes, and washing your hands before you eat. Remember to wear a surgical mask, KN95 mask or equivalent if you are around others.
Where can I find a COVID test if I am feeling sick?
Self-tests are available at local pharmacies like Giant and CVS. For students who want to be evaluated by the Student Health Center please call during the week at 540-654-1040 to schedule an appointment. For after-hours and weekend support, you may call the Student Health number and be connected with a nurse hotline. If you need medical attention or testing after-hours or on the weekend, local urgent care centers are available.
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19 using a self-test or at an off-campus medical provider, we encourage you to notify your healthcare provider or the Student Health Center right away if you are at high risk for more severe disease with COVID in order to get Paxlovid or Molnupiravir.
What do I do If I have been exposed to COVID-19?
Please check the CDC guidelines for current recommendations about being exposed to COVID-19. Please self-monitor for any symptoms and test. Re-test again every 48 hours or sooner if symptoms change. Even if you test negative, take precautions and wear a mask with others. The CDC recommends getting tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure.
If your test result is positive, follow CDC respiratory guidelines.
Should I test before coming to UMW?
We encourage all members of the community to monitor their health in the weeks leading up to the start of the semester and get tested prior to arriving to campus if experiencing symptoms, have a known exposure, or were in areas of high transmission.
What if I test positive on a self-test prior to school starting?
We ask that you do not return to campus until your symptoms have improved and no fever for the past 24 hours, consistent with CDC guidelines. Please take precautions ( masking, distancing, testing) as you may still be contagious to others. Please be sure to notify your professors, employers, and the Residence Life and Housing office (residential students) of your anticipated arrival to campus.
Isolation
What if I test positive while at school?
Distance from others and take precautions (including masking, hygiene, and cleaner air). UMW do not have isolation spaces, so students can decide on what to do after discussing with their roommate. On-campus students who are having difficulties can discuss with Residence Life and Housing.
If I test positive, how long will I need to stay away from others?
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. This is especially important to protect people with factors that increase their risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses. Keep in mind that you may still spread the virus even though you are feeling better or if you have no symptoms in the first place. It takes time for your body to clear the virus from your system.
This period can range from five to ten days from the onset of symptoms (or positive test if no symptoms). The CDC recommends that immunocompromised individuals remain in isolation for the full ten days as they tend to be infectious longer.
How can I use testing to help with decisions about returning to normal activities?
If you have 2 negative tests 24 hours apart after improvement of your symptoms, then the likelihood of spreading the virus is much less.
What if I have a roommate? Do I have to wear a mask around them?
The congregate nature of college settings presents additional challenges with the isolation guidance. If you have a roommate, it is not practical to expect you to be able to mask at all times, particularly during sleep. If you are an on-campus student with a roommate, please coordinate the details of your isolation with your roommate. Have this conversation early so you know what to expect. If there is any difficulty, please contact your RA or Residence Life.