COVID 19 Guidance

As we return to in-person instruction, Columbia has a COVID-19 Resource Guide with policies, details on the testing program, travel protocols, and FAQs. Below is specific guidance on what to do in the case of a positive COVID-19 test result. 

Exposure as close contact of individual with COVID-19

Key Takeaways

  • Any member of the Columbia community with a positive COVID-19 test will need to isolate for 10 days from the time of their first symptoms or from the date of the positive test if no symptoms are present, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Any member of the Columbia community who tests positive through non-Columbia testing sites must inform the Columbia contact tracing team for further guidance.

Non-vaccinated individuals identified as being a close contact of an individual with COVID-19 are required to quarantine for 10 days after their last contact with the infected individual if no symptoms have been reported. They must continue to monitor symptoms daily for 14 days and follow all other guidance including face coverings, hand washing, and social distancing.

  • Individuals who have been in close contact for a 10 or more minutes in a single instance or a cumulative total of 15 or more minutes over a 24-hour period at distance of less than 6 ft with an individual who tests positive for SARS-CoV-2
  • Individuals who share a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and/or common living space with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 (suite mates or same floor area)

Asymptomatic individuals who have been vaccinated are not required to quarantine after exposure if they are fully vaccinated (more than 2 weeks after the second dose for 2-dose vaccines; more than 2 weeks after vaccination for 1-dose vaccines).

While not required to quarantine, vaccinated individuals should:

  • Get tested 3-5 days following a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
  • Wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until a negative test result.
  • Monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
  • Immediate self-isolate if any symptoms develop and report the symptoms to [email protected].

Additional Guidance for Students and Faculty

Any member of the Columbia community, including any faculty member, with a positive COVID-19 test, will need to isolate for 10 days from the time of their first symptoms or from the date of the positive test if no symptoms are present, regardless of vaccination status. As a result, faculty with COVID-19 will need to remain out of the classroom for the period of isolation.

If the faculty member feels well enough, they may teach remotely during the isolation period and should work with their academic leadership to ensure appropriate short-term arrangements. Once the isolation period is completed, the faculty member will return to the classroom. Students should plan to attend the class in-person unless informed of other temporary arrangements.

In addition, any faculty member who tests positive through non-Columbia testing sites must inform the Columbia contact tracing team for further guidance. The contact tracing team will determine whether the faculty member had any close contacts and, if so, the requirement for quarantine and testing of such individuals.

If a faculty member who tests positive is too ill to teach remotely, then a replacement instructor should be identified for the class following the normal procedure for illness.

Learn more about the Columbia Test and Trace Program.

A student who tests positive will need to isolate for 10 days from the time of their first symptoms or from the date of the positive test if no symptoms are present, regardless of vaccination status. Any student with a positive test will be informed of their requirement for isolation, and the contact tracing team will determine if they had any close contacts and, if so, will reach out to those contacts with instructions. Vaccinated individuals who have been in close contact with an individual who tests positive do not need to quarantine after the exposure, and may continue to attend class. They should continue to wear a mask, get a COVID-19 test between days 3-5 after the exposure, and continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

A student who tests positive should work with their faculty instructor and/or academic advisor to ensure they are able to make up any missed class work.