ObieSafe Update: January 3, 2022

Changes to Quarantine and Isolation Protocols

Welcome back to campus. We’re pleased to share that more than 1,000 of you participated in arrival testing yesterday and today. This is a record two-day total for Oberlin since the pandemic began. We know many of you waited in some long lines to get your tests. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

We also want to share an important update for those needing to quarantine or isolate. Per the guidance of Lorain County Public Health, the Ohio Department of Health, and the CDC, we are adopting new isolation and quarantine protocols.

1. If you test positive for COVID-19:
   • Isolate for five days regardless of symptoms or vaccination status.
   • If after five days you do not have a fever, and other symptoms are getting better, you can end isolation and resume activities. Wear a mask for the next five days.
   • If you still have a fever or other symptoms after five days, stay in isolation until your fever is gone and other symptoms are better. When your isolation ends, wear a mask for the next five days.
2. If you were exposed to someone who has COVID-19 and your vaccinations are up to date (criteria: if you received a booster, if you had your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna less than six months ago, or if you had your first dose of Johnson & Johnson less than two months ago):
   • Wear a mask around others for 10 days after your last exposure.
   • Test on day five (do not test if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 90 days prior to your exposure)
   • Isolate if you develop symptoms or test positive.
3. If you were exposed to someone who has COVID-19 and your vaccinations are not up to date (see criteria above):
   • Stay home for five days after your last exposure, then wear a mask around others for the next five days.
   • Test on day five.
   • Isolate if you develop symptoms or test positive.

For your convenience, you can also find a visual guide to these protocols  from the Ohio Department of Health.

For students who are currently isolating off campus, and for employees in isolation, you should apply these new guidelines to your situation and end your isolation when appropriate. For those isolating on campus, you should reach out to ObieSafe if you believe your isolation period should be changed in light of these protocols.

As always, if you have questions or concerns about how these changes apply to you, contact obiesafe@oberlin.edu.

Get in touch with the ObieSafe team

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