COVID-19 Quarantine & Isolation

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or tested positive yourself, it’s going to be ok.

You have resources for support here at WSU, and we’re going to do what we can to help you through this.

What Should I Do Next?

Fill out the self-report if you have been exposed, tested positive or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

From there, you will get further guidance on quarantine, isolation and testing recommendations.

Self-Report

If You Were Exposed

If you were exposed, follow the quarantine guidance. This depends on your vaccination status.

Quarantine is a period of time when a person exposed to COVID-19 keeps away from others to avoid getting other people sick while waiting to see if symptoms develop.

Learn More

If You Test Postive or Have Symptoms

If you tested positive or have symptoms, begin isolating immediately.

Isolation is a period of time when a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 separates themselves from others, including people in their household.

Learn More

Ask-a-Nurse Message Line

Call the Ask-a-Nurse message line at 507.457.2292 or email askanurse@winona.edu if you have questions and to get advice about whether to see a doctor.

Learn More

Isolation

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive, start isolating immediately.

Regardless of vaccination status:

  • You must isolate for 5 days and stay home
  • You must wear a well-fitted mask around others for a full 10 days, including within your home
  • If you do not have symptoms (asymptomatic positive) or your symptoms are improving, you can leave your house after 5 days 

  • If you end your isolation after day 5, continue to wear a well-fitted mask for an additional 5 days (day 6–10)

Your symptoms are improving if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication and you are overall feeling better. 

Once Health Services becomes aware of your need to isolate, you will get an email in your WSU email account with more specific information about next steps on how to isolate.

If you live on-campus, Housing & Residence Life will also follow up with next steps.

Isolation on Campus

You can choose to isolate yourself in your home or on-campus.

If you choose to isolate on-campus, you will be moved to Tau Center. While in Tau Center, you will have meals delivered to you from Dining Services.

We recommend bringing items with you to Tau such as:

  • COVID-19 Essentials (masks, hand sanitizer, wipes)
  • Food & Beverages (snacks, Gatorade, water bottles)
  • Healthcare Items (medicine, thermometer, tissues, etc.)
  • Personal Hygiene Items (toothbrush, shampoo, body wash, menstrual care, towels, etc.)
  • Comfort Items (clothes, blankets, pillows, etc.)
  • Entertainment Items (laptop, chargers, books, movies, games, coloring books)

Isolation Off-Campus

You should do your best to isolate in your home or apartment. While in isolation:

  • Do not go to work or class in-person.
  • Stay home and do not go out into public, except to receive medical care or get a COVID-19 test.
  • Stay away from people in your home as much as possible.
  • Wear a mask every time you leave your room.
  • Increase ventilation by opening windows.
  • Avoid sharing personal household items such as towels and dishes.

How can I isolate if I have roommates?

Isolating can be challenging if you have to share common areas with roommates, so here are some strategies to keep your household safe.

Read the full COVID-19 Guide to Shared Off-Campus Housing (PDF).

Get Contacts & Resources In Order

Have an emergency contacts list of family, friends, healthcare providers, teachers, & employers. Include resources for food and
supplies

If you live alone, you might arrange check ins with a friend or relative regularly.

Also, gather your health information, insurance cards, and write down important accounts and phone numbers in a notebook. You should be prepared to record your temperature and symptoms on a daily basis.

Separate Your Stuff

Designate in advance dishes, towels, bedding and ideally a separate bedroom and bathroom for anyone who’s ill. Ideally, healthy roommates—and pets—should stay outside that space

Stock Your Cabinets

You’ll want to make sure you have these items on hand while you are in isolation since you won’t be able to run errands or go out in public spaces. 

Medicine & Pharmacy

  • Daily Vitamins
  • Pain Relievers
  • Prescription Medications
  • Cough Drops & Cough Syrup
  • General Cold & Flu Medicine
  • Cloraseptic Spray (for a sore throat)
  • Saline Nasal Spray
  • Thermometer
  • Hand Sanitizer (60% alcohol)
  • Heating Pad & Cold Pack

 

Groceries

  • Healthy Ready-Made Food & Meals
  • Soup
  • Crackers
  • Electrolyte Drinks
  • Juices (100% juice)
  • Teas

 

Cleaning & Housewares

  • Disinfectant Wipes
  • Disinfectant Spray
  • Soap (for washing hands & surfaces)
  • Toilet Paper
  • Kleenxes
  • Paper Towels
If Sharing a Bathroom

Ideally, if someone is sick with COVID-19, designate a personal bathroom to help minimize the risk of spreading COVID within the home. However, this isn’t always possible.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surface areas daily with an EPA-approved disinfectant: 

  • Toilet Seat
  • Flush
  • Sink
  • Faucet
  • Soap Dispenser
  • Light Switches
  • Door & Cabinet Handles

If possible, flush with toilet cover down to help prevent the virus from becoming airborne.

Keep and use separate sets of hand towels, wash cloths, and bath towels for each person in your home.

Does your home bathroom have a window? Keep it open to increase air ventilation.

Develop a shower schedule with your housemates. This will help to ensure that the shower is completely dry in between uses.

What's it Like in Isolation?

Read Allie’s experience:  “What Isolating in Tau Center was like for Me“

Quarantine

You must quarantine if you have been exposed to COVID-19, by being in close contact (within 6 feet, for 15 minutes regardless of if a mask was worn) with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.

How you should quarantine and for how long depends on your vaccination status.

I am vaccinated & boosted, or I recently got fully vaccinated.

If you have received your booster shot or are within 5 months of getting Pfizer & Moderna or within 2 months of J&J you must:

  • Wear a well-fitted mask around others for a full 10 days, including within your home
  • Test on day 5, if possible
I am fully vaccinated but not boosted.

If you are past due for your booster shot (past 5 months Pfizer & Moderna or 2 months past J&J), you must quarantine:

  • You must quarantine for 5 days and stay home
  • You must wear a well-fitted mask around others for a full 10 days, including within your home
  • Test on day 5, if possible
I am not fully vaccinated

If you aren’t fully vaccinated yet:

  • You must quarantine for 5 days and stay home
  • You must wear a well-fitted mask around others for a full 10 days, including within your home
  • Test on day 5, if possible

If you receive a positive test result or symptoms develop, begin isolating immediately and follow the isolation guidance.

Once Health Services becomes aware of your need to quarantine, you will get an email in your WSU email account with more specific information about next steps on how to quarantine.

If you live on-campus, Housing & Residence Life may also follow up with more information.

What Can I Do in Quarantine?

Stay in your room as much as possible to limit the chances of a potential exposure. Stay in Winona during your entire quarantine.

Every time you leave your room, remember to:

  • Wear a well-fitted mask
  • Physical distance (6ft)
  • Wash or sanitize hands often
  • Avoid touching your face

When using shared spaces at home or in residence halls, remember to:

  • Increase ventilation by opening windows, if possible
  • Limit time spent in shared spaces (15 minutes or less)
  • Disinfect shared spaces often

You can complete essential tasks including:

  • Attend class virtually whenever possible. Talk to your professors about your options.
  • Work remotely. Talk to your supervisor about your options.
  • Use online services and curbside pick-up to get essential supplies when possible.
  • If you live on-campus, you can order meals with the GET mobile app from Zanes & Jack Kane. Meals will not be delivered to you during quarantine.

You can also do the following social activities:

  • Spend time outside. If you are with others, remember to wear a mask & physical distance (6ft).
  • Attend virtual campus events
  • Connect virtually with family and friends

What Can't I Do in Quarantine?

The point of a quarantine period is to severely limit interactions with other people so the virus can be contained.

  • Do not attend in-person classes, if possible. Talk to your professors about your options.
  • Do not go to work in-person. Talk to your supervisor about your options.
  • Do not go stay at your family home
    • By returning home, you may spread COVID-19 to your family and within your home community
    • If you do need to return home, you should weigh the risks with your family members and continue quarantining upon your arrival
    • Please travel safely if you choose to leave Winona
  • Do not attend any group activities or gatherings with friends
  • Do not visit friends or family
  • Do not host visitors or other friends in your home or residence hall
  • Do not use the Fitness Center