Letter: Updated Student COVID-19 Quarantine Guidance

January 27, 2022

Dear UMB Students,

As you know, learning about COVID-19 and the defenses against infection and transmission evolves seemingly every week and with every new variant. I am sharing with you new quarantine guidance for students who have had a close contact exposure to someone with COVID-19.

You can read the details of each scenario in the COVID-19 Isolation/Quarantine Protocols, but the bottom line is this: Getting your booster shot has tremendous benefits for protection. If you are boosted, you won’t have to quarantine even if you have had a close contact exposure, as long as you remain without symptoms and continue to test negative using the recommended schedule of tests for your situation.

If you are vaccinated but do not have a booster, there is still a quarantine requirement, but not as long as it would be if you were not vaccinated.

Getting your booster can help prevent you from missing classes and being away from campus during this critical time.

Qualified UMB students can receive their COVID-19 vaccine and booster by visiting the University of Maryland Immediate Care appointment link. Insurance and other information can be found here.

Booster Day in Fayette Square is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 4, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., is now open to all UMB students, and is sponsored by Safeway and the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. You can schedule an appointment here and bring this completed form with you to the clinic.

You can find other locations to receive your booster shot here.

This can be a lot to digest and remember. I invite you to virtually attend one of two UMB COVID Hotline, Report Form, & Guidance town hall sessions next week with me to hear updates and have your questions answered regarding the UMB COVID-19 Hotline, Report Form, and health safety guidance.

Register here for Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Register here for Friday, Feb. 4 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Finally, here are a few key reminders:

• If you have not done so already, please share your booster vaccine information in the UMB COVID-19 Management Portal.
• If you need immediate guidance for a COVID-19 close contact exposure or infection, please use the COVID-19 Report Form. This is a great alternative to the UMB COVID-19 Hotline that will give you immediate advice, especially during evening and overnight hours. You are free to call 1-800-701-9863 if you still need to talk to someone.
• If you are sick, whether it is COVID-19 or not, please stay home to take care of yourself and avoid infecting others.

 

Stay healthy,

 

Marianne Cloeren, MD, MPH

Associate Professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine

UMB Public Health Officer