In an effort to keep our community informed about the presence of COVID-19 on the Concordia campus, the University will report the number of active positive COVID-19 cases on campus. Additional information will be provided through contact tracing to individuals who have had direct contact (explained by the CDC as less than 6 feet for 15 minutes or more with or without face coverings worn by either or both individuals) with the COVID-19 positive individual(s) within two days of symptom onset or receiving a positive test result.
Concordia’s protocol for positive COVID-19 test results is to have the individual isolate until their infectious period has concluded (as determined by the County Health Department, minimum of 10 days). The individual will also be interviewed by a contact tracer to determine where they had been and with whom they had interactions within the campus community 48 hours prior to their symptom(s) developing or the positive test (if they are asymptomatic).
The University does not release specific information about individuals who have tested positive but will continue to report the number of positive cases among those who are on our campus.
Cases will be removed from this count based on the following:
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and
- At least 24 hours have passed since no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
- Symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved.
For those who were asymptomatic throughout their isolation, cases will be removed 10 days after the date of their first positive test.
Definitions
- Active casesIndividuals with direct on-campus impact who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently isolating.
- Direct contactExplained by the CDC as less than 6 feet for 15 minutes or more with or without face coverings worn by either or both individuals with the COVID-19 positive individual(s) within two days of symptom onset or receiving a positive test result.
- IsolationRefers to the separation of an individual who is positive for COVID-19 from others who are not sick.
- QuarantineRefers to the separation of an individual who is known to have been in direct contact with an individual with symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19. Quarantine is a preventative and precautionary measure and does not mean that the individual being quarantined has tested positive for COVID-19.
- Contact tracingAn interview with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 or had direct contact with someone who has tested positive or has symptoms of COVID-19 to determine and share the following:
- Letting the individual know they may have been exposed to or have tested positive for COVID-19 and should monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
- Helping people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 get tested and connected with available support resources.
- Identifying where the contact has been and with whom they had interactions within the campus community 48 hours prior to their symptom(s) developing or the positive test (if they are asymptomatic).
- Providing guidelines and instructions for individuals to isolate if they have COVID-19 or quarantine if they are a direct contact.
Note: Length of quarantine/isolation is determined by the contact tracing team and/or County Health Department. The presence of a negative test does not negate the length of quarantine.