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Isolation for Positive COVID-19 Tests and Exposure Protocols

Last updated on Jan 31, 2024

If you are sick, stay home!

Regardless of vaccination status, you should report your positive test and isolate from others when you have COVID-19. You should also monitor your symptoms.


1) Report your positive test:

If you have a positive test and showing symptoms, you must follow these instructions:

  1. Use this form to self-report your case (you may also email COVIDresponse@cca.edu).
  2. Begin isolation, if appropriate, immediately from when symptoms develop. You can determine if you should isolate based on the protocols outlined below.
  3. You will be contacted by a member of our team who will collect information from you, guide you on your next-steps, and alert anyone who may need to be notified, including those who may have been exposed.

2) Begin isolation if you test positive for COVID-19:

The "infectious period" is for those that test positive for COVID-19 and contain symptoms. Begin isolation, and isolate until 24 hours have passed that you have been fever-free:

  • Isolate from others in your home and do not leave except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas and do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.
  • Do not travel and avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis (if possible).
  • Get rest and stay hydrated, and take over-the-counter medicine as necessary. Stay in touch with your medical provider and look for emergency warning signs of more serious illness.

You may end isolation:

  • After 24 hours if you had no symptoms.
  • If you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving. If you still have fever or your other symptoms have not improved, continue to isolate until they improve.

Per Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, after isolation, you should continue to wear a mask (including when off campus) through day 10. If you test negative with two sequential antigen tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask in public places sooner than day 10. You do not need to submit a negative test to CCA before returning to campus.

Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.


Positive COVID-19 case but non-symptomatic:

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 but are non-symptomatic, there is no "infectious period" for the purpose of isolation. According to Cal/OSHA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), if you have no symptoms, you can return to campus after 24 hours. Per Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, you should continue to wear a mask (including when off campus) through day 10.


If you were exposed to COVID-19, but have not tested positive:

If you were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 or have been told by a healthcare provider, public health authority, or other notification that you were exposed, here are the steps that you should take, regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection:

  • Wear a mask in all public spaces (including in housing assignments) as soon as you find out you were exposed.
  • Watch for symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms.
  • If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately, get tested, and stay home until you know the result. If the results are positive, follow the isolation protocols above.

Per California Department of Public Health, recommends testing only when a "close contact":

1) Has new COVID-19 symptoms

2) Is at higher risk of severe disease, or

3) Has contact with people who are at a higher risk of severe disease

Please continue precautions for up to 10 days after you have been exposed.


Contact tracing: Please note that while CCA is primarily responsible for initiating the contact tracing process, the COVID Response team is not able to provide 24/7 monitoring of incoming cases over the weekend and there will be a delay in response over the weekend. Therefore, we ask that you please use your best judgement to manage COVID protocols and the safety of those around you. If you find out over the weekend that you have tested positive for COVID-19, and you have had any close contacts (defined as being in close proximity, within 6 feet, for 15 minutes or more) within the last 48 hours of your positive test, please notify them directly. The COVID Response team will promptly work with students, faculty, or staff, along with public health officials, to identify and contact individuals who may have been exposed, during the work week, and will still follow up with close contacts that you have reported. However, if you feel comfortable, your initial outreach will help enhance safety on campus.

Close contact: Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes).

Symptoms of COVID-19 may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. This list does not include all possible symptoms.

Up-to-date on vaccination means you are either two weeks past completing the full initial course of vaccines—either both doses of a two doses vaccine or after one dose of single-dose vaccine AND one week after receiving a Booster of any type once a person is eligible for a Booster. Until a person is eligible for a Booster, they are considered Up-to-Date on Vaccination two weeks after completing their initial vaccines.