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Conceptual illustration of the coronavirus as if it were observed from a microscope.

College of Medicine employee guide to quarantine after COVID-19 exposure

Penn State College of Medicine employees who are in close contact or have a high-risk exposure with a confirmed case of COVID-19 must quarantine for 10 days.

If the symptomatic contact tests negative, then the quarantine is lifted, and you may return to your normal routine. If the symptomatic contact tests positive, the quarantined employee must complete the 10-day isolation period.

Exposed employees do not need to test for clearance after the 10-day isolation period and can return to work after the 10 days are complete. However, they need to monitor for symptoms and report them to Occupational Medicine (814-863-8492) and get tested, if symptoms appear. Please note that Occupational Medicine has a separate phone number to call if an employee is COVID-19 positive: 814-865-8612.

Day 1 of isolation begins on the last day of exposure. Isolation is extended with continuous exposure (i.e., living with a COVID-19 positive individual).

Exemptions from quarantine/isolation:

  • Individuals who have received their booster shot, completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last six months, or completed the primary series of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last two months do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should continue to wear a mask indoors. Please refrain from eating and drinking around others. If symptoms occur at any time, individuals should immediately quarantine and get tested until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.
  • Individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months and recovered do not have to quarantine or get tested again as long as they do not develop new symptoms. If symptoms develop, they need to self-quarantine and get tested.

College of Medicine Employee COVID-19 Quarantine & Isolation Process

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