Testing Positive for COVID-19
On This Page
As respiratory cases fluctuate in our community, locally and nationally, Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) crafts our policies in response to guidance from the CDC and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). If there are additional recommendations, we will continue to monitor and update this page as needed.
Standard instructions do not apply to health care workers or child care workers. The return to work requirements for health care workers and child care workers can be found below and by clicking the button.
Overview:
- For all University members: Students and employees are not required to report a positive COVID-19 case to HUHS. Anyone who has a respiratory infection such as flu or COVID-19 should manage their isolation and discharge independently by referring to the HUHS website, which will reflect current CDC guidance. Medical and symptom questions should be directed to the individual’s primary care clinician as needed.
- For students: Students who are ill with respiratory infections should follow the individual school’s guidance about whom to contact for academic or residential accommodations.
- For employees: Employees who are ill with respiratory infections should notify their manager of their anticipated return-to-work date. Employees and their managers should work together following standard HR policies.
Inform Others Who Need to Know:
Please adhere to the following guidance for notification if you are ill:
- Undergraduate students should reach out to their Resident Dean to discuss any personal or academic concerns related to the illness.
- Graduate students should follow any school-specific guidance, which may include contacting your Dean of Student Affairs Office and/or Adviser.
- Summer School students should inform the Division of Continuing Education (DCE)’s Associate Dean of Students for next steps.
- Faculty and Researchers should inform their department chair, principal investigator, or office of Faculty Affairs.
- Staff should inform their supervisor if they will be out of the office and review the paid time off policies.
Return to Work Testing Requirement for Health Care Workers and Child Care Workers
This requirement aligns with the CDC and MDPH guidelines. It is in place for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have had potential exposure to COVID-19 and fall into one of the categories below:
- Harvard’s health care workers (HCW), which include:
- All clinical and non-clinical individuals who work at Harvard University Health Services (HUHS)
- Harvard Dental Clinic staff and employees
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine students (HSDM students doing clinical rotations may apply)
NOTE: Harvard-affiliated employees and students who work in health care facilities that are not owned by Harvard University should follow the policies of those facilities
- Harvard’s child care workers (CCW), which include:
- All staff and teachers at Harvard’s six (6) child care centers in Cambridge and Allston
If you are in one of the above categories and test positive for COVID-19, you should immediately:
Follow CDC guidance for isolation and notify your manager.
If a HCW has a confirmed or suspected respiratory virus infection or has been exposed to COVID-19 ( SARS-CoV2), Influenza, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV):
- Those who have tested positive for a respiratory viral illness or who are exhibiting two or more symptoms of a respiratory viral illness should isolate, even in the absence of a positive test. Symptoms of respiratory viral illness include cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, headache, myalgia, chills, fatigue, and fever.
Return to Work:
- An isolating HCW who had respiratory viral symptoms may return to work:
- after 3 days have passed since symptom onset; (Day 0 represents symptom onset, with return on Day 4) AND
- if symptoms are improving, including being fever-free without the use of antipyretics for 24 hours;
- AND
- if they feel well enough to work.
- A HCW who has been asymptomatic but tested positive for a viral respiratory illness may return to work after 3 days; (Day 0 represents the positive test date, with return on Day 4).
- Any HCW who returns to work prior to 7 days since their symptom onset or first positive test was taken must wear a face mask until after 7 days have passed (Day 8 represents the first day masks may be removed).
Exposed HCWs:
- HCWs who have been exposed to someone who has a respiratory viral illness but are not themselves exhibiting any symptoms and have not tested positive for a respiratory viral pathogen do not need to be restricted from work. The HCW may continue to work after being exposed, provided they remain asymptomatic.
- The HCW must wear a face mask and self-monitor for symptoms for 5 days after exposure.
This guidance does not require a negative test to return to onsite work in a clinical setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I’m experiencing respiratory symptoms and am scheduled for a routine appointment at HUHS?
If you have respiratory illness symptoms, a known COVID-19 exposure, or have tested positive for COVID-19, you will be required to wear a mask when entering HUHS.
Review the list of symptoms below prior to your appointment. If you have any of these symptoms, please call your provider’s office before arriving. Your provider may request to reschedule until your symptoms have resolved or suggest an alternative evaluation, such as telemedicine.
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever greater than 100.4 degrees F or feeling feverish / having chills
- New fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- New headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- New congestion
Main Number for HUHS – (617) 495-5711
Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – (617) 495-2042
Behavioral Health – (617) 495-2323
Law School Clinic – (617) 495-4414
Medical Area Clinic – (617) 432-1370
Am I at high risk for COVID-19 or certain respiratory infections?
The CDC has provided some additional guidance for individuals who may be considered high-risk; please see the CDC guidance.
If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for complications, please contact your health care provider as soon as possible for close monitoring, and do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
If you are hospitalized or need to discuss medical treatment options beyond the standard Tylenol and Motrin, please contact HUHS (or your primary care clinician) to update them on your status.
I tested positive for a respiratory infection (flu, COVID-19, or RSV) and I am concerned about my symptoms. When should I call my primary care clinician for an appointment?
- If you are having difficulty breathing that is more than a mild cough and/or congestion in your nose.
- If you are having chest pain or tightness in your chest when you breathe.
- If, despite taking fever reducers as directed, your fever returns for more than two days or remains above 102°F (or 38.8°C).
- If you have prolonged vomiting or diarrhea and feel faint or dizzy.
- If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for complications, please contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible for close monitoring, and do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
- If you are hospitalized or need to discuss medical treatment options beyond the standard Tylenol and Motrin, please contact HUHS (or your primary care provider) to update them on your status.
How high is too high for my fever? Who should I call if I have any concerns about my symptoms?
If, despite taking fever reducers as directed, your fever returns for more than two days or remains above 102°F (or 38.8°C), please call HUHS at (617) 495-5711 for an appointment (or your health care provider).
Medical issues - If you have any concerning symptoms such as elevated fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty breathing, feeling faint or dizzy, or vomiting, please call (617) 495-5711 to reach our Urgent Care Department or 24/7 Nurse Advice Line. They will provide further instructions for you to either present in person or to go to the nearest local hospital.
Mental health support – the CAMHS Cares Line is available 24/7 for all students who need emotional support by calling (617) 495-2042.
If I have a respiratory infection and start to feel more severe symptoms, who should I call?
If you start to experience more severe respiratory symptoms, you should call the Urgent Care Nurse Advice Line at (617) 495-5711. This line is open 24 hours a day/7 days per week, and they will direct you to come to Urgent Care in person or go to the Emergency Room for evaluation. More severe symptoms may include:
- Difficulty breathing (more than a mild cough or nasal congestion)
- Chest pain or tightness
- Fever above 102°F (or 38.8°C) after two days despite continuously taking fever-reducing medications.
- Prolonged diarrhea, vomiting, or feeling dizzy/faint
- If you are a student experiencing any mental health concerns while ill, the CAMHS Cares Line is available 24/7 by calling (617) 495-2042. If you need to access via TTY, dial (800) 439-0183.
- If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for complications, please contact your health care provider as soon as possible for close monitoring, and do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Do I need to test negative to leave isolation?
At this time, the general public does not need a negative test to leave isolation. A negative test result is required to return to work for child care and health care providers. Review the Return-to-Work Testing Requirement for Health Care Workers and Child Care Workers section above.