As COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to rise in the Dayton region and across the state of Ohio, it is important for all Wright State University students and employees to be reminded of the state and county health department COVID-19 close contact protocols.
Any Wright State student or employee who has tested positive for COVID-19 is expected to isolate to help prevent the spread of disease. Wright State students and employees should self-report their COVID-19 diagnosis using the following webform: wright.edu/ehs-incident-report.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines close contact as any individual who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes, starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days before positive specimen collection) until the time the positive individual is isolated.
Individuals who are not sick, but have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 are expected to quarantine and monitor for symptoms. Individuals in quarantine should isolate themselves from others at home and may not come to campus, enter any university buildings, or participate in person at any university-sponsored activity or event.
According to the CDC and state health authorities, individuals who have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must continue their quarantine even if they take a COVID-19 test and the results are negative. That’s because individuals who have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 can contract the virus at any time for up to 14 days from the initial exposure, even if they test negative.
According to the CDC and state health authorities, some individuals who have come in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 may not have to quarantine. To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, the CDC advises that critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community. If they become sick at work, they must notify their supervisor and go home immediately.
At Wright State these essential employees include those deemed necessary to maintain life (health clinic personnel and caretakers of our research animals and plants), safety, research equipment, and campus facilities. Examples include police officers, emergency responders, researchers, faculty members, facilities employees, and custodians.
Please continue to follow Wright State’s health and safety protocols:
- Perform a daily self-assessment, including checking your temperature, and stay home if you are sick.
- Wear a face covering.
- Maintain physical distance indoors and out whenever practical and sit at spots indicated by the green paw (or another indicator) and at least six feet apart when working in groups.
- Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer.
- Follow posted guidelines in buildings and dining areas on campus.
- Disinfect high-touch areas.
For more information, please contact Marjorie Markopoulos, Ph.D., Director of Environmental Health and Safety, at 937-775-2797 or ehs@wright.edu.
