First published on 
10/14/2021 - 09:00

 

The COVID-19 Public Health Flowchart (PDF) informs University personnel and students when to report COVID-19 illness, when to get tested, and when to stay home.

The text-only version of the COVID-19 Public Health Flowchart appears below.

COVID-19 Public Health Flowchart (updated 9/21/23)

UW Medicine medical facility personnel follow UW Medicine protocols and reporting procedures.

SCENARIO 1: You tested positive for COVID-19.

Regardless of whether or not you have symptoms.

STAY HOME AND SELF-ISOLATE.

Outside of seeking treatment, stay home for 5 days since your symptoms started, 5 days since your test date (if you have no symptoms), or as instructed. Follow CDC isolation procedures

DON'T DELAY, SEEK TREATMENT

If you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 (per CDC), consult your healthcare provider for isolation guidance, treatments available, and telehealth options that can reduce your chances of being hospitalized.

NOTIFY CLOSE CONTACTS.

You are strongly encouraged to notify others you may have exposed

END OF ISOLATION

End isolation after day 5 if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. Remain in isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. (Footnote 1)

FOLLOW ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS THROUGH DAY 10.

Wear a well-fitting mask or respirator for 10 days when indoors around others at home and in public. (Footnote 2)

REPORT IF WORKPLACE EXPOSURE (Footnote 4)

If you are UW personnel and believe your positive COVID-19 test was due to a workplace exposure, please fill out an OARS report. For more information click here.

SCENARIO 2: You were exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.

Individuals with risk factors for COVID-19 complications should contact their healthcare provider now to ask about their treatment plan in the event of a positive test. Antiviral treatments are most effective if started soon after testing positive. Make a personal plan for COVID-19. 

You have symptoms.

  • Stay home and self-isolate. Do not go to work and/or class.
  • Wear a well-fitting, surgical mask or respirator while waiting for your test results and while you have symptoms.

  • Get tested immediately. Remain at home until you receive your test results.

    • Positive: Follow Scenario 1.

    • Negative: Follow CDC guidance for additional precautions after testing negative. (Footnote 3)

You have no symptoms.

  • You can return to work and/or class.
  • Wear a well-fitting, surgical mask or respirator when around others at home and in public for 10 days.
  • Watch for symptoms through day 10. If symptoms develop, follow instructions in Scenario 2.
  • Get tested at least 5 days after exposure or immediately if you are unsure when you were exposed. 
    • Positive: Follow Scenario 1.
    • Negative: Follow CDC guidance for additional precautions after testing negative. (Footnote 3)

SCENARIO 3: You have one or more COVID-19 symptoms but no known exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual.

Positive: Follow Scenario 1.

Negative: Follow CDC guidance for additional precautions after testing negative. (Footnote 3)

Individuals with risk factors for COVID-19 and flu complications should contact their healthcare provider now to ask about further testing and a treatment plan in the event of a positive test. Antiviral treatments are most effective if started soon after testing positive.

After confirming you are COVID-19 negative, you may return to in-person activities once your symptoms have improved and you have not had a fever in 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication). Please continue following the UW Face Covering Policy upon return.

Footnotes:

Contact covidehc@uw.edu or 206.616.3344 to reach the UW Environmental Health & Safety Department. Email is preferred.

1. Follow CDC guidance for ending self-isolation if your symptoms are not improving and/or you had moderate or severe illness..
2. With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10.

3. You can continue to report all at-home test results (negative and positive) to support national public health efforts.

4. If a supervisor believes that their workforce is experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 (more than 10% of personnel are out sick and have tested positive), contact EH&S for assistance and follow up. 

People who also work in non-UW clinical settings contact their healthcare organization/clinical supervisor for guidance on returning to activities in those locations.

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Contact

COVID-19 Campus Support Contact

(206) 616-3344