When the University is notified that a UW student, staff, faculty or other academic personnel tests positive for COVID-19, we take steps to prevent further transmission.
We respond to COVID-19 positive individuals within 24-72 hours of notification to EH&S. We gather information from the COVID-19 positive individual to help us understand the period of transmission and who may have been at risk for exposure. The information gathered may include, but is not limited to:
- Health status and date of onset of symptoms
- Test date
- UW locations where the individual spent at least 10 minutes while potentially infectious, up to 48 hours before symptoms began
- Activities conducted while infectious
- Face coverings and personal protective equipment worn
- Names of UW close contacts and others who may have been around the individual while infected
- Assessment of the need for additional cleaning and disinfection in accordance with the UW Cleaning and Disinfection Protocol for COVID-19
The COVID-19 Response and Prevention Team provides the individual with:
- Instructions for self-isolation and precautions for preventing the spread of COVID-19
- A follow-up survey before the end of the isolation period to check on symptoms
Students living in University residence halls who test positive may have additional requirements and receive assistance as needed to facilitate self-isolation and logistical support from their campus housing provider.
If requested or deemed necessary, EH&S will follow up with COVID-19 positive individuals during their self-isolation period to assess symptoms and provide additional guidance.
Read the CDC guidance Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 for more information if you test positive for COVID-19.
University units are asked to refrain from requesting or requiring a doctor’s note, a negative test result or positive antibody test following COVID-19 infection per state and local public health guidelines.