Quarantine & Isolation

We will continue with standard Quarantine & Isolation procedures for any student who becomes ill with COVID-like symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19. As required of facilities who have residential occupancy when a public health pandemic emergency is declared, Washington College has identified limited spaces for students who must isolate or quarantine.

Any student who tests positive for COVID with a rapid antigen test will be required to isolate. Due to limited isolation housing capacity, it will be strongly recommended that COVID-positive students return home for the isolation period. We recognize that there are multiple factors to consider and we will evaluate this on a case-by-case basis, working with the student to make this decision. Distance from home, ability to travel home safely by private vehicle, presence of COVID symptoms and severity of the illness, as well as any extenuating circumstances at home or other personal risk factors will all be taken into consideration.  If a student cannot travel home or relocate to another appropriate off-campus location, they will be required to move into the designated isolation housing on campus and to comply with all isolation procedures.

Students who are required to quarantine or isolate during the semester should work closely with their faculty members to make up any work missed because of their absence. In-person classes will not be accessible virtually, therefore, students should communicate with their professors to determine the appropriate steps to ensure their continued participation in their courses.

Talbot will serve as the designated residence hall for any on-campus student who is required to quarantine or isolate. COVID-positive students will be housed separately from those who are in quarantine due to close contact exposure.

Off-campus students will be able to isolate and quarantine at their off-campus residences but will be expected to follow the same protocols as on-campus students.

Isolation Guidelines

Washington College has the following isolation guidelines in place:

An individual diagnosed with COVID-19 will be required to isolate for at least 5 days, starting on day 0 which is the date of the positive test. 

If the individual's case is asymptomatic OR if their symptoms were mild and have fully resolved in that time, they will:

• Be eligible to do a repeat test on day 6. If that repeat test is negative, then they will be released from isolation. A symptomatic individual must have resolution of fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medications) and improvement of any other symptoms.
• If the individual's symptoms are moderate or severe and have NOT resolved in 5 days, they will be required to remain in isolation.  The individual can then be tested again on day 8. If the day-8 test is  positive, they will be required to complete the 10 full days of isolation. Once released from isolation, all individuals who have recovered from COVID will be required to remain masked at all times indoors for a total of 14 days, counting from the date of the positive test. This includes while in the gym, or participating in indoor practices or fitness classes.
• Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 with severe symptoms may need to extend isolation to 20 days.

Note that with COVID cases, each case needs to be considered individually and as a result, the requirements may vary on a case-by-case basis. The above represent guidelines only and our Health Services and Q&I personnel will work closely with anyone who does contract COVID to determine a suitable isolation plan that considers that person's health, any extenuating circumstances, additional risk factors, etc.

Quarantine Guidelines

Any individual who is found to have had close contact – defined as being closer than 6’ with the person who tested positive for more than 15 minutes (regardless if a mask was worn) – will be required to follow quarantine protocols. These protocols will differ based on the person’s vaccination status.

Quarantine Due to Exposure

• Unvaccinated or Not Up-to-Date with Vaccines

Guidance around the quarantine requirements for individuals who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date with vaccines is changing and we are currently reviewing that guidance in light of our status as a congregate living setting. Until/unless we publish new guidance, this remains our current quarantine policy for anyone not fully vaccinated:

For those who are unvaccinated or are not up-to-date with the vaccine (which includes having the booster) and who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, quarantine guidelines are as follows:

• Quarantine for at least 5 full days, and get tested 5 days after their last close contact with someone with COVID.
• Watch for symptoms and if any develop, isolate and get tested immediately.
• Individuals who have been exposed and are not up-to-date on the vaccine should wear a mask for 10 days, and maintain physical distancing and avoid crowds. 

• Fully Vaccinated Individuals
• Individuals who have been fully vaccinated and are exposed to someone with COVID-19 do not need to quarantine unless they have symptoms.
• However, fully vaccinated individuals should get tested 6 days after their last close contact with someone with COVID - even if they aren't showing any symptoms - and wear a mask in indoor public settings for 10 days following exposure .
• Fully vaccinated individuals should also continue to monitor for symptoms.

International Students

International students who are traveling from home to arrive on campus will follow the same procedures as all students, with one addition. That protocol is as follows:

• Students should test within a 48-hour window prior to boarding their plane and, if they test positive, should not board or fly to the US until they are negative.
• Upon arrival to campus, they will go through gateway testing on campus. 
• If that gateway test is positive, they will be required to isolate according to the standards noted above.

If any international students need assistance with setting up a booster shot appointment, Health Services will be happy to do so. 

Quarantine & Isolation Coordinators

Quarantine & Isolation Coordinators will provide care and monitoring for our students required to stayin our designated Isolation & Quarantine residence halls. These services will include but are not limited to:

• facilitating pick up of ill students and their necessary belongings from their residence hall room and transporting them to the isolation space
• coordinating meal deliveries through College dining services
• daily observation/check-ins with students in the Q&I residence halls and coordinating services with Health and Counseling as needed
• provide over-the-counter medicines if needed
• coordination of cleaning and linen services
• coordination of and assistance with contact tracing for faculty, staff and students
• notification of Provost’s Office when a student is unable to attend classes
• notification of Provost’s Office when the student is cleared to return to classes

Students can contact the Quarantine & Isolation Coordinators group at 443-480-1196.

NOTE: The Kent County Health Department has established a protocol whereby the health officer can serve anyone who is deemed a public health risk with a mandatory isolation/quarantine order that is enforceable under law and carries stiff penalties if not followed. This applies to students living on our campus or in town (as it does for anyone living in Kent County).

After-Hours/Weekend Care

The College will be staffed with Quarantine & Isolation Coordinators 24/7. Any student who requires care or intervention will have access to this team at any time, day or night. The Q&I Staff, in turn, will have access to on-call medical personnel. They will consult with those professionals as needed. Should any student need more urgent care, the Q&I Coordinators will assist in transporting them to the local hospital.

COVID testing is now available on a limited basis during nights and weekends, for any students who are showing symptoms. The Q&I Coordinators will be able to administer at-home tests to individuals after-hours and on weekends, while supplies last.

Be Quarantine-Ready!

All students should arrive to campus prepared with a quarantine/isolation plan. This planning should include assembling a Go-Kit with:

•  Medications - any prescriptions you take regularly and/or OTC medications
• Cleaning Supplies
• Thermometer
• Face Coverings/Masks
• Comfort Food (meals will be delivered, but your favorite snacks can be helpful!
• Comfortable Clothes
• Hygiene Products
• Towels
• Spare Set of Twin XL Sheets
• Phone, Laptop and other device chargers Self-care items to support your overall well-being (art supplies, puzzles, crafts, exercise equipment, books, etc.