Risk Management and Emergency Preparedness
WIU Quarantine & Isolation Protocols
[Download these FAQs in PDF format]
What is the purpose of this FAQ?
The purpose of this FAQ is to provide more specific COVID-19 information pertaining to the protocols established at Western Illinois University. Individuals will receive this as a handout if they have either tested positive for COVID-19 or have been directed to quarantine due to be in close contact with another individual who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. It is the expectation Western Illinois University that all members of the campus community adhere to the protocols and procedures surrounding COVID-19 mitigation.
What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
Isolation and quarantine are public health practices used to protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.
- Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. These people may have been exposed to a disease and do not know it, or they may have the disease but do not show symptoms.
- Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
WIU Self-Reporting
If you took an at-home test with a positive result or tested positive at the campus testing clinic, the University requests that you self-report by going to the COVID-19 Self Report Form.
Quarantine and Isolation Protocols
The following quarantine and isolation protocols have been established under the guidance of medical personnel. It is the expectation that all members of the campus community follow the procedures outlined to the best of their abilities.
Students Residing On-Campus:
- Step 1: After you have received a positive COVID-19 test result or have been informed that you are a close contact of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should complete a self-report by going to the COVID-19 Self Report Form.
- Step 2: If you need professors and instructors notified that your absences are COVID-19 related, please send an email to SDSC@wiu.edu and COPY ALL OF YOUR PROFESSORS asking the SDSC to confirm COVID-19 related absences. SDSC will reply all and confirm.
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Step 3: The University, along with University Housing and Dining Services, will work with the student, as well as the roommate(s) (if applicable) to remain in their assigned residence hall room for the duration of their quarantine or isolation period. To obtain meals during quarantine and isolation, students will be able to call their respective dining center and will be allowed to pick up meals at the cashier station in lieu of entering the dining facility.
- After 5 days, you will take another antigen-based test to determine if you are still positive (or have become positive). If the result is negative, you will no longer be required to isolate or quarantine, but will be required to wear a face covering for the remaining 4 days of isolation/quarantine. If the test is positive, you will remain in isolation/quarantine for the remaining 4 days. After 10 days of isolation/quarantine, no further testing is required.
Students Residing Off-Campus:
- Step 1: After you have received a positive COVID-19 test result or have been informed that you are a close contact of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should complete a self-report by going to the COVID-19 Self Report Form.
- Step 2: If you need professors and instructors notified that your absence is COVID-19 related, please send an email to SDSC@wiu.edu and COPY ALL OF YOUR PROFESSORS asking the SDSC to confirm COVID-19 related absences. SDSC will reply all and confirm.
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Step 3: You and any roommate(s) (if applicable), must remain in your off-campus residence for the duration of your quarantine or isolation period.
- After 5 days, you will take another antigen-based test to determine if you are still positive (or have become positive). If a test is needed, you can contact Beu Health Center at beuhealthcenter@wiu.edu or (309) 298-1888 (recommended 2-3 hours before arrival) and the test will be distributed outside of the health center in a designated pick up box. If the result is negative, you will no longer be required to isolate or quarantine, but will be required to wear a face covering for the remaining 4 days of isolation/quarantine. If the test is positive, you will remain in isolation for the remaining 4 days. After 10 days of isolation/quarantine, no further testing is required.
Employees:
- Step 1: After you have received a positive COVID-19 test result or have been informed that you are a close contact of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should complete a self-report by going to the COVID-19 Self Report Form.
- Step 2: For information related to work time off, visit the HR Office's “COVID-19 Information for Employees” and notify your supervisor.
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Step 3: You should remain in your off-campus residence for the duration of their quarantine or isolation period.
- After 5 days, you will take another antigen-based test to determine if you are still positive (or have become positive). If a test is needed, you can contact Beu Health Center at beuhealthcenter@wiu.edu or (309) 298-1888 (recommended 2-3 hours before arrival) and the test will be distributed outside of the health center in a designated pick up box. If the result is negative, you will no longer be required to isolate or quarantine, but will be required to wear a face covering for the remaining 4 days of isolation/quarantine. If the test is positive, you will remain in isolation for the remaining 4 days. After 10 days of isolation/quarantine, no further testing is required.
What if I have questions during my time under quarantine or isolation?
The University is here to help and has assigned a case manager to you for your assistance. This individual’s role will be to help provide wellness checks periodically for you as well as be a point of contact for you if questions come up.
You can also contact the Student Development and Success Center (SDSC) at 309-298-1884 Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm for any questions you may have.
If you have questions after 4:30pm or on a weekend please remember the Residence Hall Staff is also available to assist as well and can be reached at the following:
- Bayliss & Henninger Information Desk : 309-298-3400 (open 24 hours)
- Corbin-Olson Desk : 309-298-3500 (open 24 hours)
If you have an emergency, please contact the Office of Public Safety 309-298-1949.
What can I do in quarantine or isolation?
- It’s important that you limit interactions with others and stay inside your room, apartment, or house as much as possible.
- You should not attend class or work in person. Please reference the quarantine and isolation protocol section for additional information.
- It is encouraged for individuals in quarantine/isolation to utilize delivery services, driver throughs, curbside drop-offs, etc. to minimize interactions with others.
- If you leave your dwelling for any reason, you MUST wear a face covering.
How do I get my meals if I am isolating or quarantining on campus?
To obtain meals during quarantine and isolation when living on-campus, students will be able to call their respective dining center and will be allowed to pick up meals at the cashier station in lieu of entering the dining facility.
- Step 1: Students should first download the BITE app, which provides the menus for the all of the dining centers on campus.
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Step 2: Call your respective dining center and let them know of your situation and inform them what you would like based on your selections from the BITE app.
Thompson Hall Dining Center (309) 298-3608
Corbin-Olson Dining Center (309) 298-2832
Lincoln-Washington-Grote Convenience Store (309) 298-2263 - Step 3: Pick up at the cashier’s station, swipe your card, and return to your room. You should NOT eat in the dining center facilities during quarantine or isolation.
If you live off-campus, you can also utilize the dining center services noted above and should follow the same protocols. If you choose to eat elsewhere, it is encouraged that you utilize drive through or delivery services in lieu of going out in public.
What if my roommate tests positive for COVID-19 and I do not want to quarantine in the same on-campus room as them?
For the purposes of contact tracing, the University considers a room and all roommates assigned as a “family unit” when providing guidance surrounding COVID-19. If an individual does not wish to quarantine in their assigned room, University Housing and Dining Services does have designated space that the individual can temporarily move to. If you are wanting to move to this designated campus location, please contact you Complex Director.
What should I be doing to monitor myself during quarantine?
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
Monitor frequently for symptoms that include:
- Fever (100.4° or higher)
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Congestion or runny nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Sore Throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Nausea of vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
The CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker is an interactive clinical assessment tool that will assist individuals ages 13 and older, and parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 12 on deciding when to seek testing or medical care if they suspect they or someone they know has contracted COVID-19 or has come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
For more information related to symptoms, please visit the CDC website.
What do I do if I start to develop or my COVID-19 symptoms worsen?
Most individuals who get COVID-19 have mild illness and are able to recover without having to receive medical care or even a visit to the hospital. You can relieve many of your symptoms with over the counter medication. Please see the next section below for additional information. Make sure you get a lot of rest and stay hydrated.
If your COVID symptoms worsen to the point where you need medical attention, students should contact Beu Health Center (309) 298-1888 / beuhealthcenter@wiu.edu or your primary care provider. Make sure you call ahead before arriving to the Beu health center as they will work with you on entering from a designated location. It is important that you wear a face covering. WIU-QC Students and Employees should contact their primary care provider.
After-Hours and Weekends if medical treatment is needed, McDonough District Hospital (309) 833-4101 can be reached. If you have an emergency, please contact the Office of Public Safety 309-298-1949 or dial 911, notifying the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19.
Is there anything I can take to relieve symptoms if I start to feel sick?
It is recommended that you contact your primary care physician before you take any medication.
To help relieve achiness, pain or fever , adults should use 2 tablets of tylenol 350mg-500mg every 6 hours as needed. Do not exceed 4000mg in 24 hours. Do not take medication with alcohol.
For nasal congestion , over the counter pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or decongestant of choice should be used as directed on the packaging.
For cough , you may try over the counter robitussin or cough suppressant of choice as directed on the packaging. Be certain to look at ingredients on packaging, as many over the counter cough and cold medications (such as Tylenol cough and cold, Dayquil, Nyquil etc.) have combinations of these medications and you could take excessive amounts of medication, if you combine several products that are combination products.
What if I have questions while I am quarantining or isolating on campus?
The University is here to help and has many resources available for your assistance.
General COVID-19 Questions: If you have general COVID-19 questions, it is recommended that you first visit the University’s dedicated COVID-19 website at wiu.edu/coronavirus. In addition, the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) provides great information to reference. Lastly, you can contact covid-19@wiu.edu if you cannot find the answer to your question via website.
Student class absence: If you need professors and instructors notified that your absences are COVID-19 related, please send an email to SDSC@wiu.edu and COPY ALL OF YOUR PROFESSORS asking the SDSC to confirm COVID-19 related absences. SDSC will reply all and confirm.
Employee work absence: For information related to work time off, visit the HR Office's “COVID-19 Information for Employees” and notify your supervisor.
Medical Questions: If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, your COVID symptoms worsen, or you have COVID related medical questions, students should contact Beu Health Center (309) 298-1888 / beuhealthcenter@wiu.edu or your primary care provider. Employees should contact their primary care provider. After-Hours and Weekends if medical treatment is needed, McDonough District Hospital (309) 833-4101 can be reached.
If you have an emergency, please contact the Office of Public Safety 309-298-1949 or dial 911.
University Housing & Dining Services questions: Questions regarding housing and dining can be directed to uhds@wiu.edu.
Mental Health: The University recognizes the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on mental health and encourages individuals needing assistance to seek aid from the University Counseling Center and other available mental health resources.
When can I discontinue quarantine or isolation?
See "Calculating Quarantine & Isolation"
