COVID-19 Information for Students

Covid 19 Information for Students

Effective 1/17/2023

YOU TESTED POSITIVE

To determine when to return to campus, check with a medical care provider.

Also see CDC Guidance

A summary of the August 2022 CDC guidance, adopted by the NJDOH September 2022, is noted below for your convenience.

If You Had Symptoms before Testing Positive

• If you became symptomatic before you tested positive, count the first day of symptoms as Day 0. Count 5 days more. That is your period of isolation. Return to campus/classes can be on Day 6 unless you continue to feel unwell, or if you have had a fever within 24 hours of Day 6, or if you still test positive using an antigen (rapid) test. If any of these conditions exist, stay home for another 5 days or until you feel better and have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
• Wear a well-fitted mask indoors for 10 days from the date you became symptomatic or tested positive.
• Notify your professor(s) to arrange an alternate means of making up class materials or attending class remotely (if possible).
• Notify those with whom you were in close contact in the 48 hours before becoming symptomatic to minimize the potential spread of germs. A close contact is someone with whom you were within 6 feet for a total of 15 or more minutes in a 24-hour period.

If You Had No Symptoms but Tested Positive

• If you are asymptomatic but tested positive, count the date of your test as Day 0. Count 5 days more. That is your period of isolation. If you do not develop symptoms, test again on Day 5 or 6 using an antigen (rapid) test and return to campus/classes on Day 6 if you test negative. If you became symptomatic after testing and you continue to feel unwell, or if you have had a fever within 24 hours of Day 6, or if you still test positive using an antigen (rapid) test, stay home for another 5 days or until you feel better and have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
• Wear a well-fitted mask indoors for 10 days from the date you test positive.
• Notify your professor(s) to arrange an alternate means of making up class materials or attending class remotely (if possible).
• Notify those with whom you were in close contact in the 48 hours before becoming symptomatic to minimize the potential spread of germs. A close contact is someone with whom you were within 6 feet for a total of 15 or more minutes in a 24-hour period.

About Wearing a Mask

• You are advised to wear a well-fitted, high-quality mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.  Avoid travel and avoid being around others who are at high risk.  You may stop wearing a mask in fewer than 10 days if you have two sequential negative antigen (rapid) tests taken 48 hours apart. The first of the two tests should be taken no sooner than day 6.

YOU ARE A CLOSE CONTACT

See CDC Guidance

• In accordance with the current CDC and NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) guidance, close contacts do not need to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status, but are advised to wear a well-fitted mask indoors for 10 days.
• Day 0 is the day you were exposed.  Count 10 days out and wear a mask through Day 10.

YOU ARE A STUDENT IN A CLASS WITH SOMEONE WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID OR ANY OTHER CONTAGIOUS ILLNESS

Effective Jan 17, 2023, the College will no longer track COVID positive and Close Contact individuals unless there is an outbreak*. Students who are unable to attend class(es) for illness should notify professor(s) for alternate course delivery (if possible) or assignments. The student who tests positive is also asked to notify their close contacts (so get to know your classmates).

*An outbreak is when 2 or more individuals on campus report testing positive from a common index patient.  When the College is notified of such a circumstance, we are required to report to the local department of health.

If you are aware that an outbreak has occurred, please have the COVID positive student report it at THIS LINK or to Dr. Yesenia Madas, Vice President, Student Affairs at ymadas@brookdalecc.edu subject: OUTBREAK.

~Thanks for doing your part to keep us all healthy~

TREATMENT INFORMATION

If you test positive and are someone who is at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, treatment may be available. Contact a healthcare provider right away after a positive test to determine if you are eligible, even if your symptoms are mild right now. You can also visit a Test to Treat location and, if eligible, receive a prescription from a provider. Don’t delay: Treatment must be started within the first few days to be effective.

PROTECTING YOURSELF

We encourage you to continue following CDC guidance for reducing the risk of becoming ill:

• Stay home when you are sick;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water;
• Wear a mask or face covering indoors as recommended;
• Cover coughs and sneezes and properly dispose of tissues;
• Limit close contact with people who are sick; and
• Continue to monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness.

If you have any questions or concerns, please use the contacts listed below.

COLLEGE CONTACTS

Employees, non-credit students, visitors, contractors – Contact:  Associate Vice President, Human Resources & Organizational Safety, Ms. Patricia Sensi, psensi@brookdalecc.edu, 732-224-2234 or 732-224-2287.

Credit student contact:  Vice President, Student Affairs, Dr. Yesenia Madas, ymadas@brookdalecc.edu,  732-224-2525 or 732-224-2215.