Reporting Positive Tests
and Close Contacts
Navigating a positive COVID-19 test result – use the below flow chart as your guide.
*What is Close Contact?
• You were within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes.
• You had DIRECT PHYSICAL CONTACT with a person (e.g., hugging, handshaking, kissing, sharing a living space or providing care of a COVID-19 positive person)
• You SHARED eating or drinking utensils, straws, food/ drinks with this person.
• You came into contact with their RESPIRATORY SECRETIONS (e.g., they coughed or sneezed on you).
It’s also important to know when understanding the definition of “close contact” is that it’s not only a duration of 15 minutes or more at one time, but could also be a cumulative effect of 15 minutes of “close contact” with the same person during the same day.
A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: EXPECTATIONS of ALL STUDENTS
Fall 2020 North Idaho College Student COVID-19 Protocols
To prevent the spread of illness and to reduce the risk of exposure to the NIC campus community, students are required to monitor their own health on a daily basis before coming to campus and follow, at all times, the college’s health and safety protocols. This includes: wearing of a cloth face covering, maintaining 6 feet of physical distancing from others both inside and outside, and practicing proper hand washing.
Daily Health Self Check
People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Take your temperature and monitor your health daily. You may use the CDC’s Self Checker or answer the following:
Do you have any of the following COVID-19 symptoms*?
- Fever of 100.4 degrees or have chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
*For the most up-to-date information check the CDC’s website for symptoms as they will continue to update the list as more is learned about the virus.
If you replied YES to any of the above symptoms
OR
TESTED POSITIVE for COVID-19:
- Stay home or go home, or if in the Residence Hall, stay in your room.
- Self-isolate as you await medical guidance (or follow medical guidance you receive with your positive test result).
- Contact your Primary Healthcare Provider (PHP) for assistance. If you do not have a PHP, contact Panhandle Health District’s COVID-19 Hotline at 877-415-5225 and they will be able to assist students who do not have a PHP or medical insurance.
- Follow the directions of your healthcare provider or the Panhandle Health District (PHD), which may include getting tested and a recommended timeframe for self- isolation.
SELF-REPORT and CONTACT the Following People:
- If in Residence Hall, immediately contact the Manager of Residence Life by phone and report your situation.
- If you are a student employee, contact your supervisor as soon as possible and report your situation.
- If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been directed to self-isolate, contact the NIC Student Monitoring and Support Team.
Email: StudentHealth@nic.edu or
Call: 208-769-7794 or 208-665-4520 during regular college hours.
For after hours and weekends call: 208-665-5086.
It’s extremely important for you to self-report to the college if you test positive for COVID-19 or have been advised to self-isolate because of concern of an exposure to someone who is COVID-19 positive. The college is assisting PHD in contact tracing to help keep our NIC community healthy and safe. - Contact your faculty members for all your classes to let them know your situation and seek guidance on how to continue with your coursework.
Student Privacy
In all instances, and as per the CDC Confidentiality and Consent Guidelines, North Idaho College will work to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of those students who report possible exposure or test results for COVID-19 and those who may be part of any contact tracing efforts.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If you or someone you know show any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms.
If it’s an emergency medical situation, don’t hesitate. Call 911 and notify the operator that you are seeking care for yourself or someone who has or may have COVID-19 with emergency warning symptoms.
PLAN AHEAD – Take Care and Prepare
- Know ahead of time, a place you intend to use if you need to self-Isolate. Determine where you will self-isolate to separate yourself from others should you test positive for COVID-19, start to exhibit symptoms or have been directly exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive. It is recommended that you stay in a specific room, avoid shared common areas and use a separate bathroom (if available).
- Read the CDC Guidelines on what to do when you are sick or living with someone who is sick.
- Practice self-care - eat well, stay hydrated, exercise, get outdoors for fresh air and sunshine, and ensure you are getting plenty of sleep.
- Have several basic health supplies and simple foods/ beverages at home or in your residence hall room. Coordinate ahead of time, for a family member or friend to be your go-to person if you need additional supplies (including prescriptions or other medications) dropped off to your home’s front doorstep or residence hall room. If you live in the Residence Hall and need assistance with this, contact the NIC Student Monitoring and Support Team at StudentHealth@nic.edu.
RETURN to Campus/ Return to In-Person Classes
Each person will experience COVID-19, differently. Individuals will be able to end self-isolation based on current best practices. CDC criteria for ending home isolation.
If a student tests positive for COVID-19, in order to return to campus/ in-person classes, it’s important they contact the NIC Student Monitoring and Support Team at StudentHealth@nic.edu to discuss their return so a team member can document that the student has met the criteria to be considered healthy and non-infectious. Working with the NIC Student Monitoring and Support Team allows for the team to contact others across campus that need to know the status of a student’s return.
Criteria for ending self-isolation and returning to campus and in-person classes:
- 10 days since symptoms first appeared
AND - 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications like Tylenol
AND - Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving (e.g., loss of taste or smell may linger for weeks or months after recovery; other symptoms are lessening and no new symptoms have appeared).
If asymptomatic, a student can end self-isolation 10 days from the date of testing positive.
NOTE: These above criteria DO NOT apply to a person with severe COVID-19 or with severely weakened immune system and those unique cases should consult with a primary care provider or PHD, Panhandle Health District’s COVID-19 Hotline.
DEFINITIONS
Physical Distancing - Keeping at least 6 feet of space between yourself and others (indoors and outdoors). Physical distancing does not replace the need to wear cloth face coverings, practice good hygiene behavior, or good cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
Self-Isolation - Separation and restricting movement of COVID-19 positive individuals, those who may have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual or those who are exhibiting symptoms.
Contact Tracing - An effective disease control strategy that helps interrupt disease transmission. Contact tracing involves working with an individual who has confirmed COVID-19 and the close contacts of that individual. Close contacts may need to self-isolate if there is concern of exposure. The privacy and confidentiality rights of a confirmed case and close contacts will be maintained at all times.
Reviewed and affirmed by Panhandle Health District Updated: August 24, 2020