Covid-19

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Report a Positive Case of COVID-19

Please submit the appropriate form if you have tested positive:

Student COVID-19 Reporting Form

Faculty/Staff COVID-19 Reporting Form

Rhode Island College recommends that all students be up to date with vaccinations, including the new boosters for COVID-19.

Success from Cooperation

The RIC administration is truly thankful for the cooperation of each member of our campus community to date as we strive to safeguard everyone’s health and wellness and deliver a rich campus experience. Please continue to abide by the mitigations we have laid out to assure your own health, and that of your fellow students, staff and faculty.

If you have any questions about these mitigations:

Rhode Island College COVID Guidelines

Exposed to COVID-19

If you have been exposed to someone positive for COVID-19, take precautions regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection.

  • You no longer need to quarantine if you have been exposed to COVID-19.
  • Monitor for symptoms for 10 days.
  • Wear a high-quality mask for 10 days.
  • Get tested 5 days after exposure.
  • If someone you live with has COVID-19, avoid being around them as much as possible and wear a mask if you must be around them.
  • You can still develop COVID-19 up to 10 days after exposure. If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms, isolate yourself at home, call your healthcare provider, and get tested.

Please note:

The RIC Center for Health & Wellness follows the Rhode Island Department of Health’s guidance on COVID-19 as well as HIPAA and FERPA protocol.

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Positive for COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19, follow these steps:

  • Access the CDC’s Isolation and Exposure Calculator to determine your dates of isolation.
  • Stay home (isolate) for at least 5 full days. Individuals with COVID-19 must isolate even if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19. Only leave isolation for medical emergencies. If you live in RI and can safely go home, then we recommend it. If you cannot, then isolate in your dorm/apartment. If you have roommates, avoid being around them as much as possible, clean bathrooms after use, and wear a mask if you must be around them.
  • If you have a weakened immune system, also known as being “immunocompromised,” you may need to isolate for 10 full days. Consult a healthcare provider if you think this applies to you.
     

Next

If you need medical assistance

  • If you are sick call either Health Services at 401-456-8055 or your healthcare provider to get medical advice. Health Services offers telehealth visits.
  • If you think you are having a medical emergency call 911 or Campus Police 401-456-8888 or get yourself to the nearest hospital. This can include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, the inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.

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Other important details

  • Contact your professors and employer (if applicable) to inform them that you will be out for at least 5 days. Discuss with your professors the assignments that will be due during your isolation and how to keep up with the course from home/dorm room. 
  • If you are a dorm student/resident on campus and live nearby consider returning home.
  • Do not visit any other locations on campus.
  • Have things you need delivered. Ask friends and family to drop off items that you need, like food and other necessities, at your door. If this is not possible residential students should use the Donovan app “Get Mobile" (available in the Apple or Android app stores) or call Residential Life at 401-456-8240 for assistance.
  • Do your best to keep your distance from those you live with. If you can, use a separate bathroom and bedroom. Stay out of the kitchen and other rooms where people in your home gather. Do not share personal household items like cups, towels, and keyboards. If you must be in the same room as others, wear a mask. Roommates should have a COVID-19/Illness plan in place. If you been exposed, take precautions regardless of vaccination status.
  • Let your close contacts know you have COVID-19. Consider any contacts you spend time with, visit, volunteer with, or ride in a car with.
  • Learn about treatment for COVID-19. Treatment is most important if you are at elevated risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19. The earlier you start treatment, the more effective it is. 
  • Do not exercise during COVID. You should rest. Drink plenty of water, no alcohol, no energy drinks.
  • Follow the advice of your healthcare provider.

Important Note

You do not need to have a negative test to return to class.

RIC COVID-19 Mitigations

Please take note of our updated COVID-19 policies and protocols for Fall 2023.

*Subject to change per COVID-19 Community Burden Level

The vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective in averting serious illness and hospitalizations. Rhode Island College (RIC) is requesting that all students, faculty and staff who received COVID-19 vaccinations outside of Rhode Island to enter their vaccination dates and upload their COVID-19 vaccination card in the Medicat patient portal. 

Bivalent vaccine is strongly recommended to reduce the severity of illness, protect high-risk populations, decrease the strain on health care resources. RIC will strongly recommended students and non-classified employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Medical and religious exemptions are no longer required.   

RIC also recommends that all eligible students, faculty and staff consult with their primary care physician as to whether they should receive the currently available COVID-19 Bivalent vaccine.

The Center for Health and Wellness – Health Services offices provides testing.

Test kits will also be available in the dorms for self-testing.

If there is a significant surge on campus, or if RIDOH alerts us to a community surge, we will reserve the right to require non-vaccinated students to enter the testing protocol, or to institute a masking protocol, in consultation with RIDOH.

*Masks will be required for all positive cases on Days 6-10 (following proper isolation).

Surgical (paper) masks and KN95 and N95’s offer the best protection against transmission. Masks should cover both the nose and mouth and fit tightly to assure the best protection. With the highly transmissible nature of the Omicron variant, wearing face coverings in a way that produces a good fit with no air gaps is most protective. If resources are limited, double masking as described in CDC guidance is the next best option. Gaiters, scarves and cloth masks will not be permitted.

If you are having COVID-19 symptoms:

  • Students living on campus please contact the Center for Health and Wellness (CHW) to schedule a test. Do not attend class or visit other congregate areas (e.g., library, gym).
  • Commuter students, please contact your primary care provider to schedule a test and contact CHW if positive. Do not come to campus.
  • Faculty and staff, please contact your primary care provider to schedule a test and contact Human Resources if positive. Do not come to campus
  • Access the CDC’s Isolation and Exposure Calculator to determine your dates of isolation.
  • Stay home (isolate) for at least 5 full days. Individuals with COVID-19 must isolate even if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19. Only leave isolation for medical emergencies. If you live in RI and can safely go home, then we recommend it. If you cannot, then isolate in your dorm/apartment. If you have roommates, avoid being around them as much as possible, clean bathrooms after use, and wear a mask if you must be around them.
  • If you have a weakened immune system, also known as being “immunocompromised,” you may need to isolate for 10 full days. Consult a healthcare provider if you think this applies to you.

Options for Residential Isolation of Students:

  • Students who live near campus and have their own transportation can isolate at home.
  • Students who are positive can cohort into identified rooms/locations for the isolation period.
  • Students living in a single dorm can isolate in their room.

You no longer need to quarantine if you have been exposed to COVID-19.

Students with co-morbidities that place them at higher risk for serious disease should consult with Health Services or their private health care provider regarding the best strategies for reducing their risk and avail themselves of accommodations offered by RIC. Referrals to and collaboration with campus partners in student success, academic affairs and disability services will afford students an opportunity to address their specific needs.

Employees should consult with Human Resources to address their individual concerns.

More detailed information, including travel and event protocols can be found on this web page, and updates will be sent by email from stayinformed@ric.edu.

Should circumstances or local conditions change, RIC may reinstate or strengthen certain measures (e.g., bivalent boosters or mask wearing) as well as other mitigations based on guidance from CDC or RI Department of Health.

Explore Our Response to Covid-19

Upcoming Events

Auricular Acupuncture—DURING FINALS

Take part in this unique experience to relieve the stress of final exams.

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Forms and Resources

Rhode Island College entrance

COVID-19 Response Team

Learn More

Center for Health and Wellness

We are here to provide confidential and holistic primary health care and counseling to enhance the academic potential of our students. Telehealth Appointments Available.