What to expect if you’re in isolation

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Employees must follow the isolation guidance from the Center for Healthy Living or their health care provider. Information is also available at COVID-19 Isolation | CDC  

For assistance with absence letters or isolation resources, students can contact PPHC at pphc@121.health. Students may contact PUSH at 765-494-1700 during normal business hours if they need to see a provider for symptoms or to schedule a COVID-19 test.

Please be aware that a limited amount of on-campus housing space will be reserved during the 2022-23 academic year for use by those requiring isolation. Priority for these spaces will be given to students with a University Residences contract. All Boilermakers should have a personal plan for proper isolation should it be necessary in the event that on-campus accommodations are not be available at any given time. More information is available below.  

What are the protocols for quarantine and isolation? 

 COVID-19 Isolation | CDC  

  • If you have had a known exposure to COVID-19, please follow the latest guidance from the CDC.
  • If you test positive with an at-home test, students can calculate their individual isolation periods through the CDC calculator.
  • In all cases, individuals in isolation must not leave their isolation space except for emergencies or to obtain further medical care. They should monitor their health and follow directions from their medical provider or PUSH.  

Additional information 

CDC COVID-19 resource website 

Information for students 

PUSH will provide you with discharge instructions that include the date that you are permitted to leave isolation and return to masked campus activity. If students are unable to locate their discharge instructions, they can be found in their medical records through their PUSH patient portal. 

All Boilermakers are responsible for having a personal plan for isolation, such as traveling home to stay with family. Students from Indiana or bordering states should complete isolation at home. Students are not permitted to isolate in University Residences.

University isolation housing 

Limited university isolation housing is reserved for students who live in University Residences and live beyond a four-hour drive to campus. A limited amount of housing space has been reserved during the 2022-23 academic year and will be allocated based primarily on distance and/or whether you can safely execute your personal isolation plan.  

  • The Purdue Fire Department will transport you from your local residence to your designated isolation or quarantine (I/Q) space. 
  • The Purdue Fire Department will give you a Housing Information Sheet. It is very important that you read the document thoroughly. 
  • When you pack for isolation or quarantine, pack only the basics. You may wish to bring warm clothing during the cooler months.  
  • For the health and safety of others, guests, including your family members, are not permitted at any time.  
  • You may receive deliveries, following established guidelines. 

How is campus isolation and quarantine space allotted? 

PPHC will work with University Residences to assign students to isolation and quarantine (I/Q) space on the same basis as last year: If needed, PPHC staff will work with individuals who need to isolate or quarantine to determine the extent to which they can safely do so on their own — such as in their current residence or by traveling home to stay with family. Those who cannot will be placed in university I/Q housing if it is available.  

If university I/Q housing availability becomes limited, PPHC will triage cases based primarily on whether the individual can safely isolate or quarantine on their own, following this general framework: 

  1. Students living in University Residences will have highest priority for utilizing available university I/Q space. 
  1. Students living in a Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life facility.  
  1. In most cases, students living off-campus (e.g., in an apartment) will be able to isolate at home under the guidance of a Protect Purdue Health Center nurse case manager. 

Is there a charge to use campus isolation and quarantine space? 

No, there is no charge for students to utilize campus I/Q housing. 

Having a personal isolation and quarantine plan 

All Boilermakers are responsible for having a personal plan for proper isolation should it be necessary in the event that on-campus accommodations not be available at any given time.  

What are some examples of a personal plan for isolation and quarantine? 

The following ideas are provided for example only: 

  • Students with friends or relatives nearby may choose to travel to stay with them, as long as private transportation is used.  
  • Students who must isolate because they are infected may consider renting an Airbnb.  

Students should be transparent about their symptoms, infection and exposure history when renting facilities for isolation. 

PUSH can help you ensure that your back-up plan follows all relevant public health guidelines. 

Well-being 

Your physical and mental well-being are very important while in isolation.  

Here are some tips and resources to help you take care of your physical and mental health while keeping up with your studies: 

Information for faculty and staff 

Testing for employees who are symptomatic or need a test for university-related travel purposes will be available through the Center for Healthy Living.  Faculty and staff will be responsible for any costs not covered by insurance for any testing they schedule through the CHL. All other testing (including dependents) should be completed through community testing resources such as local pharmacies or healthcare providers as well as using at-home tests. 

Contact the Center for Healthy Living or your personal medical provider for testing or guidance.  

  • In most cases, employees will be able to quarantine or isolate at home. 
  • If  an employee tests positive, they should follow the latest guidance from the CDC on isolation and when it’s okay to return to work.

More information is available on the CDC website: COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation | CDC