COVID-19 Exposure

This message is to inform you that you have had a close contact with COVID 19 based on your current shared housing assignment. Because specific isolation space on campus is extremely limited, our current COVID protocols mean that individuals who test positive who live in campus housing will typically isolate in place.

Please contact covidsupport@skidmore.edu immediately if you have a pre-existing medical condition(s) or are taking medication that could put you at significant risk for severe COVID symptoms or complications. These include: chronic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, severe asthma, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, pregnancy, cancer, organ transplant, or taking immunosuppressive medications. We will allocate the limited isolation spaces on campus and will prioritize protecting individuals who are most at risk for negative outcomes from COVID 19.

Because you have had close contact with an individual who has tested positive, you must follow CDC guidelines for individuals who have been exposed to COVID 19 in order to protect your health and the health of others. These guidelines apply to all individuals, regardless of vaccination status.

1. Wear a mask in all public settings for 10 days from exposure. Day Zero is your last date of contact with the individual who tested positive and you must mask around others through the end of day 10. As long as you are masked and not experiencing symptoms, you can continue your regular routine of classes, work and activities.
2. Get COVID testing on day 5 following exposure.You can pick up a box of rapid tests from Skidmore Campus Safety (Jonsson Tower). Pick up is contactless and please call (518 580 5566) prior to your arrival. We recommend testing twice 48 hours apart following your exposure, so typically on day 5 and day 7. If your tests are negative, continue masking and monitoring for symptoms through day 10. If your test is positive, please contact covidsupport@skidmore.edu immediately so we can support your isolation.
3. Wear a mask in all public settings for 10 days from exposure, or until you receive a negative exposure test result back. As long as you are masked and not experiencing symptoms, you can continue your regular routine of classes, work and activities.
4. Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 such as a runny nose, sneezing, cough, congestion, fever, body aches, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea for 14 days after exposure. If you develop COVID-like symptoms, you must mask, isolate and contact Health Services immediately (if you are on campus) or your health care provider (if you are away from campus).
5. Based on your exposure status and masking requirements, you should not be eating meals around others for the next ten days. We ask that you pick up Grab/Go food containers and eat privately, either in your room or elsewhere on campus.
• Please see the customer attendant (while masked) in the Atrium and give them your name.
• A 9x9 reusable container will be provided at no cost.
• You can enter the Dining Hall while masked and select your food and beverages for that meal.
• The pickup and return will be located in the Atrium Café. Reusable containers for Soup and/or cereal and cups will also be made available.
• Meals must be taken to go and not eaten in the Dining Hall.
• Reusable containers must be returned to the attendant in the Atrium Café. A new reusable container will be proved when the used one is returned. If the container is not returned you will not be issued a new one.

Following these requirements will help protect you and others as we continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Failure to follow these requirements is a violation of Skidmore’s Code of Conduct.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

We know this information is likely stressful, so please know that we are here to support you.

Please note that due to privacy regulations we are not able to share any additional details about the exposure, including information related to individuals who test positive, where the exposure occurred or the nature of the interaction.

Thanking you in advance for your careful and responsible actions.

Sincerely,

Skidmore COVID Support Team