Quarantine + Isolation
The university has protocols and procedures in place for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 or who have close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. For Fall 2022, all students who test positive for COVID-19 will be asked to isolate in their room or residence.
In general …
- Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 should isolate for five days and must have no symptoms at five days in order to leave isolation; otherwise, they must remain in isolation until they are free of symptoms. (Note: Johns Hopkins Medicine follows different return to work protocols)
- Those who are vaccinated and boosted who have had a close contact with someone who tested positive do not need to quarantine.
- Those who are unvaccinated or vaccinated but not yet boosted and have had a close contact with someone who tested positive must quarantine for five days.
Close contact is defined as 15 or more minutes of contact within a 6-foot distance.
Isolation procedures
- Students who test positive through the JHU testing process will be contacted by email or phone by the JHCCC or Student Health Center.
- Students who test positive via a home test or at an off-site location should complete this form to ensure the university knows that you have tested positive
- You are required to isolate for a minimum of five days from the date of your positive test
- Your school student affairs staff will be contacted to note that you are off-duty
- While in isolation, you are not permitted to attend class and should coordinate with your instructors for either remote access or makeup of classwork
- You will be automatically notified that you are cleared to leave isolation and return to class on the sixth day if you are free of symptoms; a negative test is not required
- If you continue to have any symptoms, you must remain in isolation
The information below details what is required of students who test positive or who are deemed to have had meaningful exposure with someone who tests positive. We define meaningful exposure as a household contact (living with a COVID-infected person for at least 24 hours), such as a roommate, suitemate, housemate, or intimate partner.
Additionally, any student who is symptomatic or concerned about exposure to the coronavirus should call 410-516-5709 seven days a week between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., or email SHWCintake@jhu.edu.
Guidance for undergrads living on campus
Vaccinated + Boosted
- If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate for a minimum of five days. Currently, students can be cleared after five days if asymptomatic or cleared after six days if symptoms are improving. A negative antigen test is no longer required for clearance. Students must continue to wear a well-fitting mask until day 10 regardless of symptoms.
- If a student has no symptoms but has a household exposure (living in the same household with a COVID-infected person for at least 24 hours), the student will be asked to immediately take a rapid antigen test. If the rapid antigen test is positive, the student should remain in their room/suite and follow isolation guidelines.
Vaccinated (not boosted)
- If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate for a minimum of five days. Currently, students can be cleared after five days if asymptomatic or cleared after six days if symptoms are improving. A negative antigen test is no longer required for clearance. Students must continue to wear a well-fitting mask until day 10 regardless of symptoms.
- If a student has a household exposure who tests positive for COVID-19, they must quarantine for a minimum of five days and should test on day 5 to be cleared from quarantine.
Unvaccinated with exception
- If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate for a minimum of five days. Currently, students can be cleared after five days if asymptomatic or cleared after six days if symptoms are improving. A negative antigen test is no longer required for clearance. Students must continue to wear a well-fitting mask until day 10 regardless of symptoms.
- If a student has a household exposure to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, they must quarantine for a minimum of five days and should test on day 5 to be cleared from quarantine.
Guidance for all students living off campus
Vaccinated + Boosted
- If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate for a minimum of five days in their private residence and continue to wear a well-fitting mask until day 10.
- If a student has no symptoms, but has a household exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, the student will be asked to immediately take a rapid antigen test. If the rapid antigen test is positive, the student should remain in their room/suite and follow isolation guidelines.
Vaccinated (not boosted)
- If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate for a minimum of five days in their private residence and continue to wear a well-fitting mask until day 10.
- If a student has a household exposure who tests positive for COVID-19, they must quarantine for a minimum of five days and should test on day 5 to be cleared from quarantine.
Unvaccinated with exception
- If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate for a minimum of five days in their private residence and continue to wear a well-fitting mask until day 10.
- If a student has meaningful exposure to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, they must quarantine for five days in their private residence and should test on day 5 to be cleared from quarantine.
Guidance for employees
- Employees who test positive through the JHU testing process will be contacted by phone or email by the JHCCC
- If you tested at home, call the JHCCC at 443-287-8500 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, to be sure the university knows that you have tested positive
- You are required to isolate for five days from the date of your positive test; the date of your positive test is considered Day 1
- Your supervisor will be contacted to note that you are off-duty
- While you are off-duty, you are not permitted to be on campus and should coordinate with your supervisor to determine if you should take sick leave or can continue some activities remotely
- You and your supervisor will be automatically notified that you are cleared for return to work and may return to campus on the sixth day if you are free of symptoms; a negative test is not required to return to campus
- If you continue to have any symptoms, you must remain off campus
Note: Regarding minimum isolation timeframes, the exact number of days in isolation is based on a variety of factors and is subject to change on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Student Health and Wellness Center clinical team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to COVID to see if they become sick. Isolation separates sick people with COVID from people who are not sick.
Last updated: May 11, 2022 2:43pm
I just received a positive COVID test result? What happens now?
JHU affiliates who test positive through the JHU testing process will be contacted by phone or email by the Johns Hopkins COVID Call Center or the Student Health and Wellness Center. If you had a positive antigen test at home, fill out this JHCCC form to be sure the university knows about your test result.
You are required to isolate for 5 days from the date of your positive test. Residential undergraduate students at Homewood and Peabody will be contacted by a COVID case coordinator with instructions for isolating in place. Your supervisor or school Student Affairs staff will be contacted to note that you are off-duty/away from class. During this time, you are not permitted to be on campus and should coordinate with your supervisor/instructors to determine if you can continue some activities remotely.
You will be automatically notified when you are cleared and may return to campus on the sixth day if you are free of symptoms; a negative test is not required to return to campus. You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask until day 10.
Last updated: July 22, 2022 10:20am
What qualifies as a meaningful contact?
A meaningful contact is a roommate, suitemate, housemate, or intimate partner living in the same household with a COVID-infected person for at least 24 hours.
Last updated: Sep 1, 2022 9:32am
What happens if I have meaningful exposure to someone who tests positive for COVID-19?
If you are vaccinated and boosted, no quarantine is required.
If you are vaccinated but not boosted, you must quarantine for five days and should test on day 5 to be cleared from quarantine.
If you are unvaccinated with an exception, you must quarantine for five days and should test on day 5 to be cleared from quarantine.
Last updated: Aug 19, 2022 5:08pm
How are students notified of meaningful contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19?
We have adopted an automated system in which those who test positive will fill out a form listing their close contacts, and those close contacts will then be notified by email. We do not plan to do a broader notification of an entire class when a student is positive. We are relying on our risk-mitigation measures that include our vaccination mandate, improvements in classroom air ventilation and filtration, and the availability of voluntary testing to all students.
Our collective experience, and that of our peers, to date is that the risk of transmission is low in instructional setting but instead occurring outside of class where students are engaging in close contact for extended periods of time.
Last updated: Sep 1, 2022 9:35am
What happens if a student tests positive and does not know the other students with whom they were in class?
We have adopted an automated system in which those who test positive will fill out a form listing their close contacts, and those close contacts will then be notified by email. At present we do not plan to do a broader notification of an entire class when a student is positive. We are relying on our risk-mitigation measures that include our vaccination mandate, improvements in classroom air ventilation and filtration, and the availability of voluntary testing to all students.
Our collective experience, and that of our peers, to date is that the risk of transmission is low in instructional setting but instead occurring outside of class where students are engaging in close contact for extended periods of time. We will continue to monitor for transmission in instructional settings at JHU and among our peers and stand ready to initiate a more aggressive approach with notification and implementation of additional measures.
Last updated: Sep 1, 2022 11:51am
My roommate was just diagnosed with COVID. What do I do now?
Generally, if you are vaccinated and boosted, no quarantine is required, but you should take a rapid antigen test. If you are vaccinated but not boosted, you must quarantine for five days and should test on day 5 to be cleared from quarantine. If you are unvaccinated with an exception, you must quarantine for five days and should test on day 5 to be cleared from quarantine.
Last updated: Aug 19, 2022 5:08pm
What happens if a student can’t attend class because they are in isolation or quarantine?
Students are asked to connect directly with their faculty about this. Residential undergraduate students at Homewood and Peabody will be connected with a COVID case coordinator to help navigate this situation. Graduate students should communicate directly with their faculty, PI, and/or supervisors.
Last updated: Aug 5, 2022 10:32am
What is the process when a student has to isolate?
After a student has spoken to one or more members of the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Call Center or Student Health and Wellness Center, an email will be sent to the student and Student Affairs administrators from each campus. Undergraduate students at Homewood and Peabody will be connected with a COVID case coordinator to walk them through the quarantine/isolation process.
- Undergraduate residential students will be contacted by the JHCCC clinical team to discuss isolation in place procedures and be connected with a COVID case coordinator for support.
- Undergraduate off-campus students should connect directly with faculty for any academic concerns and can reach out to covidsupport@jhu.edu for resource questions.
- Graduate students should connect directly with their faculty, PI, or supervisor.
All students will be asked to isolate in their residence, whether on- or off-campus. During this time, students will not be able to attend classes and should work directly with their faculty.
All students are encouraged to take advantage of remote university services through their campus; this may include the Counseling Center, Academic Advising, or faculty advisors.
Last updated: July 22, 2022 10:12am
Will parents or guardians be notified of a student’s COVID status?
In alignment with FERPA and HIPAA regulations, a student’s COVID status will not be shared with parents or guardians. If a student would like a member of the Student Health and Wellness Center to speak with their parents regarding their COVID status, they should complete a release of information request.
Last updated: May 11, 2022 2:19pm
What happens if a student doesn’t follow isolation guidelines?
Students are asked to follow the isolation guidelines to protect themselves and those around them. Students who are sick with COVID and those who have had exposure could continue to be contagious for a number of days after diagnosis. To reduce the spread of COVID, students are asked to not leave their home for the duration of their quarantine or isolation. If students are found to violate these guidelines they will be referred to Student Conduct for follow-up.
Last updated: May 11, 2022 2:20pm
What happens when a student is contacted by ICAN?
Investigation, Contact Analysis, and Notification (ICAN) is the contact tracing system for Johns Hopkins. When a student is diagnosed with COVID, they are contacted by a member of the ICAN team. The ICAN team will ask the student about household contacts and meaningful contacts. It is important for students to be honest with the ICAN team; the specific information the ICAN team gathers is not shared with anyone else at the university. Students identified through the ICAN team as household contacts or meaningful contacts may be directed to quarantine in campus housing or in their off-campus residence.
Last updated: May 12, 2022 8:40am
When can I leave isolation and resume normal activities after a COVID infection if I had symptoms?
The CDC advises: You can end self-isolation after 5 (full) days since symptoms first appeared AND 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving. JHU will release students from isolation after 5 days if they are symptom-free.
We further require that, afterwards, individuals wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public until they have reached 10 days from the onset of their illness.
Last updated: July 22, 2022 9:05am
Isolation in place
What is isolation-in-place?
Isolation-in-place is for individual students who have tested positive and need to isolate in their room according to university guidance. Both students who live on- and off-campus should follow the isolation-in-place requirement should they test positive for COVID-19.
Last updated: Aug 5, 2022 10:33am
What options do I have if my roommate/suitemate tests positive and begins isolating in place?
Based on what we know about the rapid transmission rate of the omicron variant, roommates of positive students who live in doubles, triples, and quads will likely test positive, too. If your roommate tests positive you will be asked to immediately take a rapid antigen test. If the rapid antigen test is positive, you should remain in your room/suite and follow isolation guidelines.
The university is not providing isolation housing for the Fall 2022 semester. If you have an existing medical condition that you believe puts you at risk should you stay with your roommate/suitemate, you should consult with the Student Health and Wellness Center.
Last updated: Aug 9, 2022 8:56am