Covid-19

RIC's Center for Health and Wellness has provided updated isolation guidance for students, faculty, and staff. The institution and the Center for Health and Wellness recommend the COVID vaccine to the RIC community. The vaccine may be available at your local pharmacy.

Isolation Guidance

Residential Students

Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be asked to isolate in the dorm until at least 24 hours without symptoms and/or fever (and without the use of fever-reducing medication). Otherwise, students may return home for this period of time. Additional information regarding isolation guidelines is also available at Rhode Island Department of Health COVID-19 Information and the CDC provides Respiratory Virus Guidance Update FAQs.

Commuting Students, Faculty & Staff

Individuals testing positive for COVID-19 should stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours without symptoms and/or fever (and without the use of fever-reducing medication). 

Please Note: Depending on the length of symptoms, this period could be shorter, the same, or longer than the previous guidance for COVID-19.

Individuals are advised to remain cautious for at least five additional days after ending isolation, as it is still possible to remain contagious even after symptoms have subsided. Recommended precautions include better ventilation for cleaner air, enhanced hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses.

Visits to Center for Health and Wellness and Testing Kits

Any person seeking care through Center for Health and Wellness (CHW) will be required to test for COVID-19 if they are experiencing respiratory symptoms. Tests are located in the CHW entrance lobby in Browne Hall or you may call Health Services to obtain them. You must then test in your dorm room or in your car. No testing is allowed in the lobby of Browne Hall. Masks must be worn by those with respiratory symptoms when seeking care in Counseling Center or Health Services (even if negative for COVID-19).

Please Note: Free at-home COVID-19 tests from the government are no longer available.

Faculty and staff who are symptomatic and/or exposed can contact their primary care provider or visit an urgent care center. Staff and faculty members who test positive for the COVID-19 virus should notify their supervisors. Faculty and staff should also notify their primary care providers, particularly if they are immunocompromised or at risk for severe disease, to determine whether they are candidates for antiviral medication.