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Policy for Close Contact, Quarantine and Isolation for those exposed to Covid-19 or the Delta Variant

August 25, 2021

Requirements adopted from the guidance of the CDC, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Longmeadow Board of Health

Guiding Principles for Fully Vaccinated People

  • Outdoor activities pose minimal risk to fully vaccinated people.
  • Most indoor activities pose low risk to fully vaccinated people, especially in areas with low or moderate transmission.
  • Infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant.
  • Fully vaccinated people who become infected with the Delta variant can transmit it to others.

To reduce their risk of becoming infected with the Delta variant and potentially spreading it to others, CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people:

  • Wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
    • Fully vaccinated people might choose to mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated.
    • Bay Path University requires all employees, students and visitors to wear a mask while indoors.
  • Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Isolate if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Get tested 3-5 days after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until they receive a negative test result.
  • Continue to follow any applicable federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations.

CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status. As of August 17, 2021, Bay Path University requires all employees, students, and visitors to wear a mask while indoors.

Recommendations for Outdoor Settings

Current data suggest the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in outdoor settings is minimal. In general, fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask outdoors. Fully vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised.

Travel

Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread SARS-CoV-2 and can now travel at low risk to themselves within the United States. International travelers need to pay close attention to the situation at their international destinations before traveling due to the spread of new variants and because the burden of COVID-19 varies globally. Bay Path University is permitting both students and employees to travel subject to the normal travel approval process.

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on open deck areas of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus).

Domestic travel (within the United States or to a U.S. territory)

  • Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to get a SARS-CoV-2 viral test before or after domestic travel, unless testing is required by local, state, or territorial health authorities.
  • Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to self-quarantine following domestic travel.

International travel

  • Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to get tested before leaving the United States unless required by their destination.
  • Fully vaccinated air travelers coming to the United States from abroad, including U.S. citizens, are still required to have a negative SARS-CoV-2 viral test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States.
  • International travelers arriving in the United States are still recommended to get a SARS-CoV-2 viral test 3-5 days after travel regardless of vaccination status.
  • Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to self-quarantine in the United States following international travel.

Recommendations for Isolation, Quarantine and Testing

Fully vaccinated people with COVID-19 symptoms

The risk that fully vaccinated people could become infected with COVID-19 is low. Although:

  • Any fully vaccinated person who experiences symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should isolate themselves from others,
  • Be clinically evaluated for COVID-19, and tested for SARS-CoV-2.
    • Students may contact Health Services to schedule a Covid Test.
    • Employees must contact their local pharmacy or healthcare provider to schedule a Covid test.
  • The symptomatic fully vaccinated person should inform their healthcare provider of their vaccination status at the time of presentation to care.
  • You can end isolation and return to Work or School when:
    • You test negative for Covid-19
    • At least 24 hours has passed since recovery, defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
    • Improvement in Symptoms; and
    • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

Fully vaccinated people with no COVID-like symptoms following exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19

Fully vaccinated people who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should:

  • Be tested 3-5 days following the date of their exposure and
  • Wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
  • Isolate if they test positive.
  • Most fully vaccinated people with no COVID-like symptoms do not need to quarantine or be restricted from work following exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 providing they follow the testing and masking recommendation above.

Fully vaccinated people should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following an exposure.

Quarantine

Quarantine if you are unvaccinated and have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19. (People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms).

What to do

Stay home for 10 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19 or 7 days after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later).

However, anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and who meets the following criteria does NOT need to stay home.

  •  Someone who has COVID-19 illness within the previous 3 months and
  • Has recovered and
  • Remains without COVID-19 symptoms (for example, cough, shortness of breath)

Signs and Symptom:

  • Fever or chills(100.4◦F)
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

If possible, stay away from people you live with, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

Isolation

Isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected.

People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, stay in a specific “sick room” or area, and use a separate bathroom (if available).

You can end isolation and return to Work or School when:

Symptomatic

  1. At least 24 hours has passed since recovery, defined as resolution of fever without use of fever-reducing medications; and
  2. Improvement in Symptoms; and
  3. At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

Asymptomatic

At least 10 days has passed since the first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test was taken, assuming symptoms did not subsequently develop.

Faculty may contact Javier Padilla, Director of Human Resources with any questions
at japadilla@baypath.edu or 413-565-1252

Students may contact Deborah Baker, Director of Health Services with any questions
at dbaker@baypath.edu or 413-565-1544