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COVID-19 Updates

On This Page
COVID-19 Testing Reporting COVID-19 COVID-19 Vaccines COVID-19 Brochures & Resources	COVID-19 FAQs Is it COVID or a cold? For how long is COVID contagious?       When is masking required?         Face Masks 101 Travel

Visit srm.vcu.edu for university updates and recommendations regarding COVID-19. 

COVID-19 Testing

COVID testing is offered at Student Health, but students may also choose to self-test at home or complete testing at an outside facility.

• Student Health offers free on-site rapid COVID testing to students.  COVID PCR testing is also available for a fee.  Call Student Health at 804-828-8828 during regular business hours to schedule an appointment.
• Rapid COVID self-test kits are also available for purchase at Student Health for $5.

If you have symptoms concerning for COVID, please self-isolate and get tested.  Even if you think it's just a cold or allergies, your symptoms could still be due to COVID! 

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID and DO NOT have symptoms, please mask in indoor spaces anytime you are around others for 10 days after your last exposure and complete COVID testing on DAY 6 following the exposure (Day 0 is the day of last exposure).  If symptoms develop, isolate and get tested sooner.

Reporting COVID-19

Students are encouraged to report COVID-19 symptoms and/or positive tests to Student Health during regular business hours for recommendations regarding exposure, testing, and isolation.  We strongly recommend using the CDC's Isolation & Exposure Calculator for detailed guidance following a positive test or potential exposure.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Student Health strongly encourages students to be up-to-date with COVID vaccination.  Vaccines protect against severe infections, COVID hospitalizations, and complications, such as long COVID.  Vaccination also helps to protect others, especially the most vulnerable members of our community.

Updated COVID boosters are now available for 2023-2024.  Check your local pharmacy or www.vaccines.gov to find vaccine near you.

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 COVID-19 Patient Education

• What To Do If You Have COVID or Symptoms
• How To Notify COVID Contacts
• What To Do If You Have Been Exposed to COVID
• When Is It Safe to Be Around Others? (Ending Isolation)

• Disinfecting Your Home, What To Do If a Household Member is Sick
• COVID Vaccine FAQs
• CDC Guide to Face Masks, Improving Mask Fit, & Types of Masks
• Animals & COVID

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COVID-19 FAQs

For FAQs regarding covid testing, vaccines and more, visit the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) FAQ website.

I’m sick. How do I know if it is COVID or something else, like the cold or flu?

• Even if you think it's just a cold or allergies, it's important to self-isolate and contact Student Health for testing.  COVID symptoms are often very similar to cold, flu, or allergy symptoms.  The only way to tell the difference is with COVID testing.
• Common symptoms of COVID may include fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, body aches, headache, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.  

For how long is someone with COVID contagious?

• A person diagnosed with COVID is considered contagious beginning 2 days before the start of symptoms (or a positive test if there are no symptoms) until 10 days after the start of symptoms (or a positive test if asymptomatic).  The risk of transmission is lower during days 6-10 of the illness.
• People with severe infections or significant underlying health issues may be infectious for longer.

When is masking required?

• After a COVID-positive individual is released from isolation, they should mask anytime they around other people, both at home and in public, until 10 days after the start of symptoms (or a positive test if there are no symptoms).
• Asymptomatic individuals identified as close contacts to COVID should mask when indoors around others for 10 days after the date of last exposure.  If the COVID-positive person is in your household and cannot fully isolate away from you, the day of last exposure will be the day the infected person is released from isolation.
• Masks may be required in some healthcare settings.

Does it matter what kind of mask I wear?

Use the most protective mask you can that fits you well and that you will wear consistently. 

• Choose a high quality disposable mask or a well-fitted cloth mask with at least 2 layers (3 layers is better!). 
• Review CDC recommendations to maximize the fit and effectiveness of your mask.

How is COVID impacting travel?

Guidelines for travel are changing frequently with the pandemic.  Please visit the CDC's website for the latest recommendations and alerts related to domestic travel, international travel, and cruise ship travel.