COVID-19
To maintain the healthiest campus possible, all graduate and undergraduate students are under the COVID policy purview of the Student Health Center at Brandeis University.
The Centers for Disease Control's(CDC) most recent guidelines for managing respiratory illnesses was issued on March 1, 2024. The CDC guidance has changed in response to rising levels of immunity to SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes Covid-19, as well as declining hospitalization and death rates for Covid-19. The updated guidance aims to place precautions for SARS-CoV2 together with other respiratory illnesses such as Influenza and RSV. The guidelines can be found here
Based on the cdc guidelines we now recommend to the Brandeis community that if you have or develop symptoms and test positive for SARS-CoV2, you should stay home until you have not had a fever for 24 hrs without the use of fever reducing medicine, and only if your other symptoms are improving. While the epidemiology of SARS-CoV2 has changed, the biology of the virus has not. You are potentially infectious with SARS-CoV2 for a full 10 days, therefore, we encourage students, faculty, and staff to wear a mask around others (including in the household) for a total of 10 days. You may remove your mask prior to day 11 if you have 2 negative rapid antigen tests for Covid-19 48 hrs apart.
Health Center providers will recommend best practices for preventing spread of illness to vulnerable members of the campus and Waltham communities. Students who do not follow Health Center recommendations may be reported to the Dean of Students Office and subject to disciplinary action.
Campus Guidelines
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Face masks are optional on campus, but may be required in certain classrooms, offices, and other spaces.
New and returning students are not required to submit proof of vaccination as a condition of matriculation.
- Asymptomatic screening for SARS-CoV2 is no longer performed.
- Symptomatic students should self test with a home rapid antigen test kit (available at local pharmacies) and in cases where there is concern for a false negative the Health Center can evaluate symptomatic students at the Respiratory Unit. The provider can perform rapid antigen tests on site or send an anterior nasal swab for the more sensitive and specific SARS-CoV2 molecular PCR test via Quest laboratories.
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- Clean your hands often.
- Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces (for example, doorknobs, tables, handles, light switches, and countertops) in your room and bathroom.
- Take steps to improve ventilation, such as using fans to improve air flow.
- Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
- Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing or persistent pain/pressure in the chest), seek emergency medical care immediately.
- To access emergency medical care, call BEMCo at 781-736-3333. If you are off campus, call 911.
- You may pick up to-go meals from the dining halls using a green, to-go or a compostable container.
- If you don’t have a green to-go container, one may be obtained at the dining hall.
- For “food on the go” information visit Starship Mobile. Please wear a mask at all times while picking up meals.
- Reach out to your instructors about keeping up with your coursework while you are isolating in place.
- You should stay home until you have not had a fever for 24 hrs without the use of fever reducing medicine, and only if your other symptoms are improving.
Exposure or Feeling Unwell
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Everyone has a day when they wake in the morning and exhibit some sort of a symptom that could be associated with COVID-19, whether it’s a cold, allergies, or it actually is COVID. If you are unsure about what to do, here are some options:
- Take a rapid COVID-19 test.
- If your test is negative, but you had an exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, or if you recently engaged in activities that might expose you to COVID, such as large, crowded indoor events or travel, follow the directions for student exposures.
- Stay in your room or at home. Reach out to your instructors explaining that you are sick and follow the instructor’s guidance, whether they would prefer you to attend class in-person, attend remotely, or otherwise. If you need help communicating with your faculty. Academic Advising is available to assist.
- Please do not be a “hero” and come to campus if you are sick with COVID-19, or with anything else that could infect other people! Part of being a responsible community member is knowing when to stay home. Everyone around you will appreciate your choice to stay home when you are sick.