Exposure Management

Updated 1/20/22

When there are COVID cases on campus, it is important that students, faculty and staff are aware of how the College manages cases. This process is known as “exposure management,” a term used to describe the procedures that an organization follows when a positive COVID case is detected. Effective exposure management plans are important to contain spread. It is equally important that you understand your obligations and the guidance and policies that may impact you if you test positive or think you may have been exposed. If you don’t see your questions answered here or elsewhere on the website, please email oxy@oxy.edu.

These important guidelines and policies have been developed by the COVID Operations Group, with consultation from our special adviser, Dr. Kim Shriner '80, and Emmons medical staff.

Quarantine and Isolation Plan

Note: The guidelines below only apply to vaccinated individuals; there are different recommendations for unvaccinated individuals. If you are unvaccinated please contact Emmons for further information.

Topics covered include:

What happens if I test positive for COVID?
What should I do if someone I know (and am close to) tested positive?
How does Oxy handle notifications when someone tests positive?
Other FAQs for faculty, students and staff

What Happens if I Test Positive for COVID?

SYMPTOMATIC

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms, you must isolate for 5 full days. You end isolation if:

• At least 5 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared, AND
• Your symptoms have improved and you are fever-free without the use of fever- reducing medications, AND
• You have a negative COVID-19 viral (antigen) test result collected after day 5 or later (where day 1 is the first day after your symptoms appeared).
• If you do not get a negative COVID-19 viral (antigen) test after 5 days you must continue to isolate for up to 10 full days. You can leave isolation after 10 full days if your symptoms have improved and you are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications.

ASYMPTOMATIC

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 but were asymptomatic, you also must isolate for 5 full days. You end isolation if:

• At least 5 days have passed since your positive COVID-19 viral test was taken, AND
• You have remained asymptomatic, AND
• You have a negative COVID-19 viral (antigen) test result collected on day 5 or later (where day 1 is the first day after your positive test was collected).
• If you do not get a negative COVID-19 viral (antigen) test you must continue to isolate for up to 10 full days. You can leave isolation after 10 full days if you remain asymptomatic.

If you develop symptoms while you are isolated, you must follow the SYMPTOMATIC isolation instructions above.

Additional Guidance on Isolation

Students: find isolation guidance and information

I am a staff member who tested positive through Occidental’s testing program:

• If you test positive for COVID-19, whether or not you are experiencing symptoms, you will need to isolate away from campus following the guidelines above. Emmons staff will interview you to determine close contacts.
• Employees should notify their supervisors of their need to miss work or work remotely due to illness or isolation requirements. If the nature of the staff member's work can be conducted remotely and the individual is well enough to work, the employee may continue to work remotely while in isolation. If the employee is in a role that requires an in-person presence, sick time (including Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Due to COVID-19) must be utilized while in isolation. If you do become ill for any extended period of time (as with other illnesses) and cannot work, you should coordinate with your manager/supervisor and Human Resources to discuss available options. All employees should rely on their medical provider, (not Emmons which is in charge of student wellness) for ongoing medical advice, including medical clearance on when to return to work.

I am a faculty member who tested positive through Occidental’s testing program:

• If you test positive for COVID-19, whether or not you are experiencing symptoms, you will need to isolate away from campus following the guidance above. Emmons will work with you to conduct contact tracing. You should immediately notify the Dean of the College that you are not cleared to work on campus. The Dean will discuss options as to how to handle teaching load while you are in isolation. If you are not experiencing symptoms, you may teach remotely during this period, or make other accommodations, such as scheduling make-up classes upon your return.
• If you do become ill for any extended period of time (as with other illnesses), you should coordinate with your department chair/associate dean for faculty affairs and with Human Resources to utilize the sick leave provided in the Faculty Handbook and arrange for substitute coverage, alternative assignments, or make-up classes.

I am a staff or faculty member who found out I tested positive from a source other than Occidental’s testing:

• Employees should notify Emmons immediately if they learn they have tested positive for COVID. To do so, upload your recent results into the myhealth.oxy.edu portal by logging in and clicking on the Enter My Covid 19 Test Result button on the main page. If you have difficulty, notify Emmons via phone (323) 259-2657 and email a copy of your positive COVID-19 test to emmons@oxy.edu. In addition, employees must immediately notify their supervisor that they are not cleared to work on campus. The only exception is when an employee has been working exclusively remotely and not conducted Occidental business off-campus in person with other individuals. Emmons staff will interview the employee to conduct contact tracing and determine appropriate next steps, including possible isolation measures. All employees should rely on their medical provider (not Emmons, which is in charge of student wellness) for ongoing medical advice, including clearance to return to work.

I am a student who found out I tested positive from a source other than Occidental’s testing:

Students must notify Emmons immediately if they learn they have tested positive for COVID. You can notify Emmons via phone (323) 259-2657 and email a copy of your positive Covid-19 test to emmons@oxy.edu. Notification is not required if the positive test occurs more than two weeks before the start of a semester. Emmons staff will interview the student to conduct contact tracing and determine appropriate next steps, including appropriate isolation measures. In some instances, the College may ask the student to get a confirmatory test.

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What should I do if someone I know (and am close to) tested positive?

The question of being “exposed” or “potentially exposed” to a COVID positive individual—and what steps should be taken when that determination is made—can vary based on circumstances. While some general principles apply, the Oxy community should rely on the professional judgment of Emmons medical staff (which utilizes the consultation of Dr. Shriner when necessary, as well as the latest L.A. County and CDC guidelines) to make those determinations. Guidance from local and federal public health officials continues to evolve in this area, another reason why we rely on the added expertise of our medical team.

When contact tracing for a COVID positive case occurs, Emmons staff will identify close contacts to communicate next steps. Although it is not up to individuals to self-identify as a close contact, anyone who is concerned about possible exposure is welcome to come to the testing center (currently on the 2nd floor of AGC) for guidance.

Generally, it is helpful to think about three of the more common situations. These do not cover every scenario, but are provided as general guidance to help the community better understand Oxy’s exposure management processes:

• An “obvious or known exposure” (e.g. a person spending more than 15 minutes, unmasked, indoors with a confirmed COVID positive individual). This is one type of “close contact”. Almost always, these close contacts will be contacted immediately to be tested and Emmons will determine what isolation or quarantine measures are appropriate.
• Other “close contacts”: These are individuals who have been in close contact with COVID positive individuals. (Examples of when a person would be considered a close contact might include office coworkers, or classmates sitting nearby a COVID positive individual). Emmons medical staff will make the ultimate determination of close contacts through contact tracing, taking into account a number of factors, for example, vaccination status, whether exposure happened indoors or outdoors, and whether masks were being worn all may factor into who is a close contact and when a contact is required to be tested. Emmons will reach out to close contacts to inform them of next steps regarding testing and what activities they can or cannot resume.
• “Unknown or possible exposure”. This category might include individuals who are not close contacts, but are uncertain about exposure due to a reported or suspected case, for example in your building or res hall. If you are unsure about a possible exposure, you can always come in for a test (waiting 3-5 days from the day of the exposure, if known - or immediately if you are experiencing symptoms.

Consistent with the most recent LADPH Guidelines (updated in January 2022), guidance for close contacts is as follows:

If you have received a COVID booster OR completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months OR completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months:

• You do not need to self-isolate.
• Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days.
• Test on day 6.

If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR are unvaccinated:

• Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for 5 additional days.
• If you can’t quarantine, you must wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days.
• Test on day 6.

Anyone who is considered a close contact must wear N95/KN95 masks at all times when around others for the next 10 days and you should limit your activities with other people, when possible. If you develop symptoms, immediately isolate and get tested as soon as possible.

Can a student still attend class if they have been identified as a close contact?

• This guidance will come from Emmons staff through contact tracing and follow up discussion. However, the following process typically applies: Close contacts will be provided instructions during contact tracing to get a PCR test and follow the appropriate instructions depending on their exposure and condition. Given the incubation time, a follow up PCR test is required in 5 days. If the close contact individual is asymptomatic, they are permitted to continue attending class, of course masked, under a “modified quarantine” while waiting for the follow up PCR test. Students do not need to consult their professors on whether they should attend, and individual faculty members should not preclude students in this category from attending class. In all cases, Emmons professional medical staff will make these determinations.

Can an employee still work if they have been identified as a close contact?

• This guidance will come from Emmons staff through contact tracing and follow up discussion. However, the following process typically applies: Close contacts will be provided instructions during contact tracing to get a PCR test and follow the appropriate instructions depending on their exposure and condition. Given the incubation time, a follow up PCR test is required in 5 days. If the close contact individual has a negative rapid test and is asymptomatic, they are permitted to continue working on campus while waiting for the follow up PCR test. In all cases, Emmons professional medical staff will make these determinations.

Employees: What should I do if a spouse or child or someone else I live with has been exposed to a COVID-positive individual or tests positive for COVID?

• You are not required to notify the College. Employees are encouraged to first call their medical provider for any health-related questions, as Emmons primary responsibility is student wellness. If you are symptomatic, contact your medical provider first. As always, do not come to work if you are feeling ill. You may come to Emmons for a test (currently at the 2nd floor of AGC)–but first contact Emmons for a consultation. Upon request, an employee may utilize Supplemental Paid Sick Leave to care for a child or family member who is required to isolate or self-quarantine.

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FAQs About Notification

A student in my res hall tested positive. Does that mean everyone in the res hall needs to get tested?

• Not necessarily. Following our exposure management protocols, Emmons staff will interview the COVID-positive student to identify those “close contact” individuals who are required to come in for testing. It may be determined that not everyone from that res hall would be considered close contacts and require testing. Those who are deemed close contacts who require testing will be notified directly via email or phone.
• If you are not deemed a close contact and are unsure about a possible exposure, you can always come in for a test (waiting 3-5 days from the day of the exposure, if known–or immediately if you are experiencing symptoms.

A student in my class tested positive. Does that mean everyone in the class, including the professor, needs to get tested?

• Not necessarily. Following our exposure management protocols, Emmons staff will interview the COVID positive student to determine those “close contact” individuals who are required to come in for testing. Depending on the class size, location, and other factors, it may be determined that some or all participants in the class, including the professor, would be considered close contacts and require testing. Those who are deemed close contacts who require testing will be notified directly via email or phone. Even if not close contacts, all members of the class (and the instructor) will be notified if a COVID-positive classmate attended class while in the transmissible phase of COVID infection and may come in for voluntary testing.
• If you are not deemed a close contact and are unsure about a possible exposure, you can always come in for a test (waiting 3-5 days from the day of the exposure, if known–or immediately if you are experiencing symptoms.

A coworker tested positive. Does that mean everyone in our office or department must be tested?

• Not necessarily. Following our exposure management protocols, Emmons staff will interview the COVID-positive individual to identify those “close contact” individuals who are required to come in for testing. It may be determined that not everyone from that office or department would be considered close contacts and require testing. Those who are deemed close contacts who require testing will be notified directly via email or phone.
• If you are not deemed a close contact and are unsure about a possible exposure, you can always come in for a test (waiting 3-5 days from the day of the exposure, if known--or immediately if you are experiencing symptoms.

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Other FAQs for Faculty, Students and Staff

Faculty: If a student does test positive, what are we expected to do about subsequent class meetings, particularly lab classes?

Dean Sternberg has advised faculty to plan their courses with contingencies in place (e.g., a remote participation option or alternative assignments) for students who have to miss class due to COVID-related issues, similar to what you might do for any student who had to miss class for an extended period of time due to illness.

Faculty: If a student in my class tests positive for COVID, will I be notified?

Yes. While we are not able to reveal protected health information, if a student will be missing class because of COVID-related isolation or quarantine, you will be notified by the Dean of Students Office that a student in your class will be out due to illness (similar to when students miss class for any extended period of time for illness or other reason). If a student is isolated or in quarantine but is otherwise well enough to perform classwork, faculty are expected to work with students to help them stay on track with the class.

Faculty who need assistance recording lectures or setting up a classroom for hybrid participation (whereby students can Zoom into an in-person class—available in some, but not all classrooms), should contact ITS. In the unlikely event that a significant number of students in a given class is isolated or in full quarantine, faculty may choose to hold class remotely, keeping in mind that even isolated students may be sharing a room and will not have access to alternative private spaces to support active class participation.

Students: Will I be notified if a student in my class or in my res hall gets COVID?

You will be notified if Emmons staff has determined that you are a close contact who needs to be tested. In some circumstances, for example when it cannot be determined with certainty who are close contacts and who are not, the College may provide a more general notification (via email or posted signage) to alert individuals that a person with COVID may have been present in that space, so that anyone with symptoms or concerned about exposure can come in to be tested. If you are not identified as close contact and are unsure about a possible exposure, you can always come in for a test (waiting 3-5 days from the day of the exposure, if known–or immediately if you are experiencing symptoms.

Faculty and Staff: Will I be notified if a coworker gets COVID?

You will be notified if Emmons staff has determined that you are a close contact who needs to be tested. In some circumstances, for example when it cannot be determined with certainty who are close contacts and who are not, the College may provide a more general notification (via email or posted signage) to alert individuals that a person with COVID may have been present in that space, so that anyone with symptoms or concerned about exposure can come in to be tested. If you are not identified as close contact and are unsure about a possible exposure, you can always come in for a test (waiting 3-5 days from the day of the exposure, if known–or immediately if you are experiencing symptoms.

Unvaccinated individuals: If I’m unvaccinated, do the same exposure management processes apply?

There are different recommendations for unvaccinated individuals. Those individuals are encouraged to contact Emmons for further information.

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