After the federal COVID public health emergency ended in 2023, the CDC updated its guidance to focus more generally on a group of respiratory viruses that include COVID, RSV, influenza, etc., rather than COVID specifically. That shift in guidance moved us away from institutional/governmental protocols and toward a more individualized assessment of risk. While there are no longer any formal Willamette COVID protocols in place, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the latest guidance and make informed decisions that prioritize your health and well-being.
A summary of the current guidance for people with respiratory illnesses like cold, flu, and COVID is as follows:
- Stay home and away from others until your symptoms are getting better and you are fever free for 24 hours. You do not need to isolate for five days as was the case during the pandemic.
- Once you return to normal activities, use precautions like masking and distancing for an additional 5 days.
- If you have COVID, you may end these precautions if you have 2 consecutive negative rapid antigen tests (performed 48 hours apart).
- You do not need to isolate if you are exposed to a respiratory virus like COVID or flu. If you do not have symptoms, it’s best to wait 5 full days after your exposure to test yourself.
- To be confident you do not have COVID, the FDA recommends 2 negative antigen tests for people with symptoms or 3 antigen tests for those without symptoms, performed 48 hours apart.
Further guidance can be found in the “CDC Guidance on Respiratory Viruses” link below
Prevention is key. The best way to prevent infection is to protect yourself from germs and viruses. Wash your hands often! Soap and water are most effective, but sanitizing gel also works. Be sure to cover your coughs and sneezes. Stay up to date with your flu and COVID vaccines, and take good care of yourself by getting adequate rest and staying well hydrated. If you become ill and have questions, you can contact your healthcare provider or nurse advice line for additional guidance.
Lastly, as a reminder, Bishop Wellness Center does not provide “notes” for absences from class. If you are ill and unable to attend class, please communicate with your professor to make up any missed work as your earliest convenience.
Wishing you all wellness,
Don