8/5/21
The news that you have tested positive for COVID-19 may be disconcerting, but the MBL is here to support you as you navigate this period. Whether you live on- or off-campus, this webpage will help you understand what you need to do and what resources are available to you.
General Information on Isolation
Anyone living on campus who tests positive for coronavirus must live in isolation housing until cleared to return to regular campus housing by the MBL’s Contact Tracing Team. They must then provide MBL’s Human Resources department with proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test or a note from their healthcare provider indicating they are no longer infectious. Those living off campus are advised to isolate in their homes. Isolation typically lasts for 10 days.
While no one wants to stay away from the rest of campus, the goal of isolation is to enable individuals to recover from illness and prevent spread of COVID-19. Even if you are asymptomatic, staying in isolation will help keep others safe while you are contagious.
Once isolation is complete you must continue following the same precautions such as wearing a face covering indoors. While you will develop some immunity to get over COVID-19, we don’t know how long that will last. The precautions are in place for the safety of our entire community.
Isolation Information for On-Campus Program Participants
If you test positive for COVID-19, a staff member from Housing and Conferences Department will contact you with further instructions and give you information on isolation and they will inform you if you need to relocate to a temporary housing location. They will also inquire about food allergies and/or special diet requirements for meal deliveries.
MBL Dining will deliver meals prepared meals for reheating. All isolation rooms will be equipped with a mini refrigerator or a kitchen with a microwave and refrigerator.
Isolation Information for Off-Campus Program Participants
Those who test positive for COVID-19 and are living off-campus are advised to isolate in their residences.
If you live with roommates, the CDC recommends that you:
- Separate yourself from others and stay in a specific “sick” bedroom or space and use a different bathroom (if possible).
- Wear a mask over your nose and mouth if you must be around other people or pets in your home.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surface areas in your “sick room” while wearing disposable gloves. Disinfect the bathroom after every time you use it.
- Eat separately from your roommates, and do not help with preparing food.
- If possible, have only one person in the household care for you if you need assistance. Anyone who is in the same room with you for any period should wear a mask, clean their hands often, and avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Our priority is to enable you to retrieve what you need for a comfortable stay in isolation housing, while keeping contact with others to a minimum.