On-Campus Students Who Test Positive for COVID-19

Students who are living on campus and test positive to COVID-19, whether via rapid test or PCR test, will be required to isolate for a minimum of 5 days, but most will be required to isolate for 10 days, depending on their symptoms.

All decisions regarding how long students will isolate will be determined by the Brandeis Community Tracing Program (BCTP) in collaboration with the providers at the Student Health Center. Failure to comply with the instructions of the BCTP, Student Health Providers, or policies outlined on this website will result in disciplinary action through the Dean of Students Office.

If you Test Positive for COVID-19

• How were you tested: 
  • Through a test at the Student Health Center – Immediately put on your mask and return to your room. You will be contacted by the BCTP. Their call will come from “Private Number”, so please make sure you turn up the volume on your phone and do not miss their call.
  • Through a rapid test or a PCR test outside of the Student Health Center – Immediately put on your mask and return to your room if you are not already there. Email bctp@brandeis.edu with the result of your positive COVID test. 

Isolating in Your Room

Most students who are not severely sick will isolate themselves in their own rooms.

Recommendations for Isolating in Your Room

• COVID-positive students and their roomates should wear masks while awake and in their room together.
• Clean your hands often.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• 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, if possible:
  • Use fans to improve air flow.
    • Place a fan as close as possible to an open window blowing outside. This helps get rid of virus particles in your home by blowing air outside. Even without an open window, fans can improve air flow.
    • Point fans away from people. Pointing fans toward people can blow contaminated air directly at them.
• Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
• Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing, like chest pain, ongoing fever, or trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately. To access emergency medical care, call BEMCo at 781-736-3333. If you are off campus, call 911.

• Meals. 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 to-go container, please contact BCTP and one will be provided to you. For other “food on the go” information visit Starship Mobile. Please wear a mask at all times while picking up meals.
• Students must stay in their rooms with the door closed during their isolation period. They may only leave their room wearing a mask (please wear the most protective mask you have or double mask) in order to pick up food, use the bathroom, or do laundry during less-busy times.
• Coursework. Reach out to your instructors about keeping up with your coursework while you are isolating.
• Be responsive. Students must respond to all calls and emails from the BCTP or Student Health providers. If you are too sick to respond, please call x63333 for emergency assistance.
• Leaving isolation. Students may ONLY be released from isolation as determined by the BCTP.

Other Things to Know

• Off-campus isolation for students living on campus: On-campus students may isolate off-campus if they can relocate in a private/personal vehicle. Please note: To leave isolation and return to campus activities, you will need the approval of the BCTP. You will also still need to respond to the calls of the BCTP and keep them informed of your conditions during your isolation, even if it’s off campus.
• Tell the truth. The university’s amnesty policy (pdf) applies to students who willingly and cooperatively participate in contact tracing efforts.