Isolation Period
A student or employee who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days, regardless of vaccination status.
You must isolate for longer than 5 days if you have new symptoms or your symptoms are worsening. A Mercer Medicine physician or nurse practitioner will determine the length of your isolation.
You must remain in isolation until cleared by the Campus Health Center/Mercer Medicine.
Isolation Locations
For students residing in University housing or the Lofts:
- You are encouraged to go home to recover, if possible.
- You may isolate in place in your own room. Isolating in place means that you stay in your current residence, distance yourself from roommates/suitemates as much as possible, and wear a mask inside the residence as often as possible. Roommates/suitemates should also wear masks inside the residence as often as possible.
You may leave your assigned room, while wearing a mask, to seek medical care and pick up to-go or delivery meal options to eat in your room. For students on the Macon campus, Aramark provides to-go meals.
If you have questions or concerns about housing, please contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at (478) 301-2687.
The University strongly encourages students to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations to better resist infection. Students have access to medical advice and care, mental health counseling, academic support, and dining options. The Campus Health Center provides the COVID-19 Hotline at (478) 301-7425 for questions or concerns about COVID-19.
Academic Accommodations While in Isolation
Faculty members are notified when a student tests positive for COVID-19 and are required to provide academic accommodations to isolating students. You will need to contact your instructor to discuss your academic accommodations during isolation. The faculty member will also be notified when you have been cleared from isolation.
Bear Check for Isolating Students
The Campus Health Center staff will monitor students using the online Bear Check of symptoms. Students are REQUIRED to complete the Bear Check during each day of isolation by 1 p.m. Students also will be advised to contact their own family physician.
Isolation Clearance
Students must remain in isolation until they are cleared by the Campus Health Center/Mercer Medicine. Employees may not return to work on campus until cleared by Mercer Medicine.
Please call the Campus Health Center COVID-19 Hotline at (478) 301-7425 if you have questions about COVID-19 isolation.