WVU continues to work with the Monongalia County Health Department to investigate new cases of COVID-19 that have occurred in the past several days. Since testing results and contact tracing may require additional time to complete, we provide the following interim guidance to address situations that may arise while these investigations continue.
Students or employees who become ill while on campus should return to their campus or local residence, self isolate and avoid further contact with others. They should use a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. Additionally, they should follow the instructions on our website for students: https://coronavirus.wvu.edu/students/health-information/ or for employees: https://coronavirus.wvu.edu/faculty-staff/health-information/#what-should-i-do-if-i-feel-ill-or-may-have-been-exposed-to-covid-19. Buildings or classrooms do not need to be closed and contacts of these individuals do not need to be notified.
Students or employees who are diagnosed with COVID-19 should contact their primary care provider and (for students) WVU Student Health, to receive guidance and additional health information. Employees should also contact WVU Medical Management. These individuals should wear face coverings at all times, self-isolate and follow the guidance provided by their healthcare professional.
Until a formal case investigation and contact tracing can be completed, all those who are known or suspected to have been in close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 should undergo a 14-day self-quarantine/self-monitoring period. In these situations close contact includes:
Having been within 6 feet of someone diagnosed with COVID-19 for a period of at least 15 minutes in any environment, regardless of the use of face coverings or masks; or
Having been in a closed indoor space with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 for a period of at least 15 minutes, regardless of the use of face coverings or masks
Contacts of contacts (e.g., secondary contacts), or brief contacts with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 are generally not felt to be at high risk of infection. Therefore, unless the health department identifies that a specific outbreak situation warrants further action, the University will not seek to identify casual contacts or secondary contacts. Units may advise employees and students to monitor their own health for the development of any symptoms, but quarantine procedures are not required for these types of contacts.
Individuals who meet the above criteria for close contacts may be released from quarantine if they have no symptoms for a 14-day period or if they have no symptoms for a period of 7-days and receive a negative test result from COVID-19 testing. Employees and students should follow the procedures on our website for assistance in seeking testing: https://coronavirus.wvu.edu/who-do-i-contact/
Additionally, all Units and supervisors should ensure that the privacy and confidentiality of all students and employees is maintained during any efforts to identify potential close contacts.