In accordance with updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Marquette University will no longer require a five-day isolation period for students, faculty or staff who test positive for COVID-19. Exceptions remain for those who work in health care settings. This change will go into effect on Tuesday, March 19.
Individuals who test positive or have symptoms of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses should stay home and away from others until symptoms are improving and no fever is present for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. The COVID Cheq/COVID symptom screener and voluntary self-disclosure forms will no longer be in use.
Once returning to normal activities, it is advised to continue taking additional precautions for the next five days to decrease the spread of illness.
This includes:
- Practicing good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing your hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces
- Wearing a well-fitted mask
- Distancing from others
- Getting tested for respiratory illnesses and seeking treatment especially if you are at high risk for severe illness
- Taking further precautions to protect those at higher risk for severe illnesses. Prevention strategies for those with higher risk can be found in the CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance.
All individuals should continue utilizing prevention strategies for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses to protect yourself and others. This includes:
- Staying up to date with immunizations, including current flu and COVID vaccines. For older adults and infants, this may also include RSV vaccine.
- Practicing good hygiene
- Taking steps for cleaner air
- When sick, getting tested and seeking treatment, especially if you are at high risk for severe illness
- Being aware of additional considerations for those at higher risk for severe illnesses
COVID-19 and influenza testing
Marquette University Medical Clinic will continue to test symptomatic students, as clinically indicated.
Attendance policy
The current attendance policies in the undergraduate bulletin and graduate bulletin do not recognize illness as an excused absence. At the same time, students should not attend class if they have COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms.
The university will retain the previously announced attendance policy through the end of the spring semester. Students are responsible for contacting instructors prior to the missed class session to indicate absence and the need to make up classwork/assignments. With the elimination of the COVID Cheq/COVID symptom screener, students will no longer need to provide the COVID Cheq “stop sign” to confirm inability to attend class.
Isolation accommodation
Given the change in isolation protocols, isolation rooms will no longer be provided on campus. Roommates are encouraged to discuss how respiratory illnesses will be handled in their shared rooms, apartments or houses. Additionally, Marquette is no longer providing students the GetWell Loop resource from Froedtert Hospital.
