COVID-19 Guidance

Isolation and exposure guidelines for Rockford students, staff and faculty

Updated August 9, 2024

Note: The following guidance is intended for Rockford campus members not affiliated with UI Health and who do not have clinical duties, such as patient- or study-participant-facing duties and is based on UIC guidelines. UI Health faculty, staff and students who are currently on a clinical rotation or are engaged in patient-facing activities should follow the guidance provided by University Health Services (UHS) for the clinical setting.

Employees:

All UIC Health Sciences Campus-Rockford employees are required to inform Employee Health Services by phone at 815-395-5962 or email at emphealthrock@uic.edu when they test positive for COVID-19. Notify your supervisor if you will be using sick leave.

Follow isolation and exposure guidance below. In addition, civil service employees must receive clearance from Employee Health Services when their COVID absence exceeds three days.

Students:

Please isolate per the guidance below and contact UIC Rockford Student Health and Wellness at 815-395-5870 for continued care, detailed directions on isolation, and school clearance notice for missed classroom/rotation responsibilities.

Students on clinical rotations at UI Health Mile Square Health Center-L.P. Johnson Rockford should adhere to UIH healthcare guidelines. Students on clinical rotations at organizations outside of UIH should follow the guidance of the host organization while on their premises.

 

Isolation guidance for campus members who test positive for COVID-19 Heading link

In accordance with CDC guidelines, isolation guidance as of March 1, 2024.
I am asymptomatic I am symptomatic
Mask* in all settings on UIC's campus for five days from the date you first tested positive. Isolate until: • you have been fever-free for 24-hours without using fever-reducing medication, AND • your symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.
** If you develop symptoms, follow the guidance under "I am symptomatic." Upon returning to campus mask* in all settings on UIC's campus for the next five days.
It is recommended you limit close contact with others and take additional precautions during this time to lower the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus.
If you begin to feel sick again, you should return to isolation and restart the above guidance. Examples of these guidelines can be found on the CDC website.

COVID-19 symptoms are listed on the CDC site.

* High-quality masks and respirators, such as KN95s or N95s, offer the most protection. Masks should be adequately thick, well-fitted and cover your nose, mouth and chin. To maximize protection, consider wearing a disposable mask under a cloth mask (double masking).

** Because you may still be able to spread the virus after returning to campus, steps such as making sure you are washing your hands and covering your coughs and sneezes, physical distancing, improving ventilation, and testing will help lower the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus.

General campus guidance for individuals exposed to COVID-19 Heading link

I had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or who is suspected to have COVID-19

  • Consider wearing a mask in all settings on UIC’s campus through day seven from your last exposure.
  • Consider avoiding crowded areas and places where you are unable to mask.
  • Consider testing two to five days after exposure, particularly if you have had a high-risk exposure.*
  • If you test positive refer to, “I have tested positive for COVID-19” guidance above.
  • Monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days from your last exposure.
  • If you develop symptoms, seek COVID-19 testing as soon as possible. If you are utilizing a COVID-19 self-test and test negative, consider repeat testing 48 hours later.
  • Employee Health Services or Student Health and Wellness will support you with guidance and support.
  • If you are re-exposed or are unable to avoid contact with a COVID-19-positive person, ask Employee Health Services or Student Health and Wellness for guidance.

*Take extra precautions if you were exposed by someone in your household or another high-risk setting as you are more likely to develop COVID-19.
**Take extra precautions if you will be around someone at high-risk for severe illness, hospitalization or death from COVID-19