Covid Guidance

Recently updated CDC guidance now combines recommendations for COVID with those for other respiratory viruses such as influenza and RSV. The guidance no longer requires a five-day isolation period for COVID but rather focuses on symptom improvement and absence of fever. Please note that the guidance does not apply if you work at Stony Brook Hospital or the State Veterans Home or are a student who attends class at the hospital or health sciences center.

Faculty, staff, and students who have respiratory virus symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache should not come to work, class, or attend campus activities, and are advised to stay home and away from others. Please monitor your symptoms and refrain from resuming in-person classes, campus events, and public spaces until:

• Your symptoms are improving overall, and
• You’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication. 

Monitor your symptoms’ progress and use your best judgment regarding when to resume work, campus activities, and classes based on these recommendations. When you go back to your normal activities, take added precautions/steps over the next five days in terms of: cleaner air, hygiene/masks, and physical distancing. 

Questions? Concerns?

• West Campus, Health Sciences Center, and the School of Medicine employees - excluding Renaissance School of Medicine clinical faculty - can contact the Health Information Line (HIL) at 631-632-5000.
• Students can contact the Campus Health Response Team at 631-632-6176
• Hospital employees may contact Employee Health and Wellness at 631-444-7767 for isolation and return to work guidance, as the guidelines described may not apply to you.

Tips to Stay Healthy

We have heard so much about the importance of washing our hands frequently over the past four years. In fact, this best personal hygiene practice is a vital preventative measure for many viral and bacterial illnesses. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers/cleaners are also effective. Here are some additional important tips to stay healthy:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze, and refrain from using your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your living space, such as doorknobs, light switches, desks, and electronic devices, using EPA-approved disinfectants.
• Avoid sharing items; anything you regularly use should be exclusively yours, such as water bottles, towels, and utensils. Keeping these items for your personal use helps prevent the spread of germs, even if you're not aware of being sick.
• And, finally, don’t leave home if you feel unwell.