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Positive cases, isolation, and quarantine

Positive Cases

Note: The following guidance applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals who test positive for COVID-19.

STUDENTS

Content updated on Aug. 15, 2023

  • These guidelines apply to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
  • Do not attend class or work.
  • Isolate yourself in your residence away from friends or family members for five days.
  • Fill out the Dean of Students Office COVID-19 Absence Verification Form.
  • Please contact Schiffert Health Center at 540-231-6444 with immediate questions.

Quarantine/isolation: For the 2023-24 academic year, Virginia Tech will not operate a COVID-19 quarantine and isolation program. It is important for students to work with families to develop an advanced COVID-19 plan should they become infected with COVID-19. As with any communicable disease, the Schiffert Health Center and the Dean of Students Office will work closely with students to implement their plan — or discern alternative solutions as needed. 

EMPLOYEES

Content updated on June 23, 2022

Virginia Tech is following Virginia Department of Health isolation and quarantine guidelines.

CLOSE CONTACTS

What should I do if I'm notified that I'm a close contact with a positive case?

STUDENTS

Content updated on Sept. 18, 2023

These guidelines apply to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.

If you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19:

  • Start precautions immediately: wear a mask when indoors around others for 10 days.
  • Monitor yourself for symptoms.
  • Test yourself 5 full days after you were exposed, even if you don’t have symptoms. You can use an at-home rapid antigen test.
  • If you test positive, isolate immediately and upload your results to the Healthy Hokies Portal.
  • If your antigen test is negative, take another antigen test after 48 hours and continue to follow precautions.
  • If your second antigen test is also negative, wait another 48 hours and test a third time.

If you have symptoms and were exposed to COVID-19:

  • Begin isolating in your residence hall room or off-campus residence.
  • Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
  • Test immediately.
  • You may contact Schiffert to schedule a COVID-19 test OR obtain a rapid antigen test to complete at home.
  • If you use an at-home rapid test and test negative, take another rapid antigen test after 48 hours.
  • If you test positive for COVID-19, email your results to Healthy Hokies Portal. Also, isolate yourself in your residence away from roommates, family, and friends for five days.

Additional Student FAQs

Where do I get a COVID-19 test if I have been exposed or told I am a close contact?
If you are not experiencing any symptoms, you may pick-up rapid antigen test kits at Schiffert Health Center when you present your Hokie Passport. Students experiencing symptoms may call Schiffert Health Center (540-231-6444) to schedule an appointment for testing.

Under what circumstances will a student need to activate their COVID-19 quarantine/isolation plan?
Students living on campus should activate their plan if they have symptoms after an exposure, or if they test positive for COVID-19. Students should contact the Dean of Students office  at 540-231-3787 with questions relating to activating their COVID-19 plan.

For any questions relating to exposures, testing options, isolation, or quarantine, contact Schiffert Health Center at health@vt.edu for guidance. Symptomatic students or those with questions about symptoms should also call Schiffert Health Center at 540-231-6444.

EMPLOYEES

Content updated on Sept. 8, 2023

Virginia Tech is following Virginia Department of Health isolation and quarantine guidelines.

Additional Employees FAQs

What are my leave options if I need to isolate myself at home after exposure to COVID-19?

Employees that are ineligible for remote work and need to quarantine due to a known exposure to COVID-19 must use their available personal, annual, or compensatory leave to cover the absence.

Employees who test positive for COVID-19, and become symptomatic or ill, should use sick leave or other available personal leave. If necessary and eligible, employees can also file a short-term disability claim.

If you have questions, contact the Leave Team at hrleave@vt.edu.

Where do I get a COVID-19 test if I have been exposed?
For both symptomatic and non-symptomatic employees:

Where can I get information on accessibility accomodations if I need them due to COVID-19?

Visit the ADA Accomodations page for information on COVID-19 and the ADA and EEO laws. If you have additional questions, contact the ADA and Accessibility Services team in the Office for Equity and Accessibility at adaaccess@vt.edu or by phone at 540-231-2010.

Is there information available on long COVID?

Visit the Long COVID Resources page on the Hokie Wellness website for information and resources. 

Isolation and quarantine

STUDENTS

Content updated Sept. 8, 2023


Students should to work with families to develop an advance COVID-19 plan should they become infected with COVID-19. As with any communicable disease, the Schiffert Health Center and the Dean of Students Office will work closely with students to implement their plan — or discern alternative solutions as needed. This applies to all undergraduate and graduate students.

EMPLOYEES

Content updated Sept. 8, 2023

Virginia Tech is following Virginia Department of Health isolation and quarantine guidelines.