Current Health Issues
TO: UMass Chan Medical School Community
FROM: Sharone Green, MD, Infection Control Officer
DATE: Sept. 18, 2024
SUBJECT: New COVID-19 Reporting Requirements
UMass Chan has changed its COVID-19 reporting requirements. Effective immediately, UMass Chan employees are no longer required to report positive COVID-19 test results to Employee Health Services.
Dually employed physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, medical and nursing students who work in clinical areas should, as always, follow all infection control and masking guidelines at that specific clinic or hospital, and continue to report COVID-19 positive results to Employee and Student Health Services, respectively.
UMass Chan encourages all members of our academic community to stay current with vaccine-related guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine appointments are widely available through health care providers and commercial pharmacies.
Anyone with new symptoms of a respiratory virus, such as a fever, sore throat, cough or a runny or stuffy nose, should stay home and stay away from others, following guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. While wearing masks is not required in non-clinical areas of UMass Chan’s campus, it is always welcomed and encouraged. Anyone returning to campus following a respiratory illness is strongly encouraged to wear a mask for five days to prevent further spread in the workplace.
Thank you for your attention to this change in reporting requirements at UMass Chan and for taking steps to keep yourself, your family and your communities healthy.
- No fever in the last 24 hours without having taken Acetaminophen/Tylenol, Aspirin, Naproxen or Ibuprofen
- No diarrhea or vomiting
- No persistent cough
- If it has been more than 5 days since your positive test. The day you test positive with COVID-19 is considered Day 0. Your earliest return to class/ clinical is Day 6. For example, if you test positive on Feb. 1, you could return to class/clinical on Feb. 7.
- No fever in the last 24 hours without having taken Acetaminophen/Tylenol, Aspirin, Naproxen or Ibuprofen
- No diarrhea or vomiting
- No persistent cough
- If you are at risk for severe covid due to any underlying cardiac, respiratory, or immune compromise or any other medical conditions you can self-refer by calling the Covid Treatment line. They will screen you to determine if you are a candidate for treatment. FYI: Some treatments must be completed by day 5 of symptom onset. Their number is 1 (800) 431-5151
- Please continue to monitor your symptoms and please reach out to Student Health if you have any questions or concerns (508) 334-8464
- If you were in a clinical setting within 48-72 hrs. prior to the onset of symptoms or positive test, please be sure to contact the Employee Health (EH) of that institution to let them know. If it was a UMMHC site, the EH number is (508) 793-6400
- Please note that it is not recommended to complete a COVID PCR test for 90 days after you have been positive as this test may remain positive up to that time
- On days 6-10, you must wear a mask while in any Medical School facility. During this time, you may only remove your mask briefly (15 minutes or less) while eating and should consume any food while alone or at least 10-feet from others
- Please note that the Office of Student Life has rapid COVID-19 tests available for students to pick up as needed
- Please visit the CDC website for additional guidance
If you are a non-clinical or GSBS student, attached is the new COVID 19 reporting requirements as of September 18, 2024