Dec. 31, 2021

To all students,

In light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new isolation and quarantine guidelines, Dartmouth has revised its COVID-19 isolation protocol. Effective immediately, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for a minimum of five days and will be released from isolation upon receipt of a negative rapid antigen test result or a full 10-day isolation. If the result of a rapid antigen test on Day 5 is positive, individuals may take a second rapid antigen test on Day 7. If the antigen test on Day 7 is negative, the individual can be released from isolation at that time. In the event the result is still positive, individuals must complete the full 10-day isolation period.

In summary, Dartmouth’s new isolation protocol is as follows:

• Day 0: Day of positive result or first day of symptoms later confirmed by positive test

• Day 0 - Day 4: All individuals isolate

• Day 5: All individuals take an antigen test administered by Dartmouth and can leave isolation upon receipt of a negative test result

• Day 7: Any individuals still in isolation take an antigen test administered by Dartmouth and can leave upon receipt of a negative test result

• Day 10: Any individuals still in isolation released

We are confident that this step will reinforce the safety of the Dartmouth community. Covered below are isolation guidelines for:

• Students in on-campus housing

• Students residing off campus

Guidance for students in on-campus housing

The arrival and spread of the omicron variant and initial results from pre-arrival testing for students coming to campus in January suggest that we need to be prepared for the number of community members testing positive for COVID-19 to be greater than in prior terms. Given isolation space constraints, we will not be able to provide designated isolation space for students who test positive for the virus during winter term. As such, effective Monday, Jan. 3, students in on-campus housing who test positive for COVID-19 will be asked to isolate in their residences.

We recognize that the new isolation protocols will, at times, be uncomfortable. At the same time, we are hopeful that the new isolation protocols (which have the potential for shorter isolation) will enable us to maintain our commitment to academic continuity for our students, including the staffing needed to preserve key services for students.

If you are concerned about your return to campus for winter term, we encourage you to contact your undergraduate dean, the dean of your school, or your supervisor to determine appropriate adjustments.

What does it mean to be isolated in your residence for those living in residential halls?

• In most instances, isolation in place will mean a student who tests positive for COVID-19 may be required to isolate with a roommate who has tested negative.

• Each campus residence hall or facility will have clearly marked restrooms designated for students who are isolating. To ensure the safety of others in the building, students who are isolating should only use designated restrooms.

• Students who test positive will be allowed to leave their residence to collect grab-and-go meals from ’53 Commons. Students must use medical-grade face coverings, provided during arrival testing at West Gym, when leaving their residence. Additional medical-grade masks are available by request at West Gym. Questions may be sent to covid-19.info@dartmouth.edu.

• Per Dartmouth’s Face Covering Policy, all students (including those who have not tested positive) should wear a face covering at all times when not in their rooms. We strongly encourage students to wear medical-grade face coverings, such as the KN95 masks provided with test kits.

• Students who are required to isolate should contact their professors directly to devise a plan to keep up with their coursework.

What should I do if my roommate tests positive?

• Per Dartmouth’s Face Covering Policy, all students (including those who have not tested positive) should wear a face covering at all times when not in their rooms. We strongly encourage students to wear medical-grade face coverings, such as the KN95 masks provided with test kits.

• Roommates of students who have tested positive should continue to wear a face covering indoors per Dartmouth’s Face Covering Policy, including if possible while in their residence.

• If you have not tested in the last 48 hours, please test immediately. If you have tested in the past 48 hours, please test again on Day 5 of exposure (either when your roommate tested positive or started experiencing symptoms, whichever occurred first).

• Please call Health Services at 603-646-9440 if you feel ill or are concerned about possible exposure. More information about Dartmouth COVID health and safety is available on the Dartmouth Together COVID-19 website.

• Students who have not tested positive should not use the COVID-19 isolation designated bathrooms, even if their roommate(s) have tested positive.

• Students with a documented disability who wish to request an accommodation based on that disability in the event their roommate tests positive for COVID-19 may request services via Student Accessibility Services, which will evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis.

• Students who believe they have a disability requiring an accommodation but who have not yet identified themselves as having such a disability should contact Student Accessibility Services immediately.

• More information about Student Accessibility Services is available online.

What does it mean to be isolated in your residence for those living off-campus?

• Students who live off-campus and who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate at their residence.

• Isolating students who are on Dartmouth’s meal plan will be allowed to leave their residence to collect grab-and-go meals from ’53 Commons. When possible, students should use medical-grade face coverings (which will be provided upon arrival to campus) when leaving their residence. Additional medical-grade masks are available by request at West Gym. Questions may be sent to covid-19.info@dartmouth.edu.

• Students should isolate for five days and then come to campus to receive a rapid antigen test on Day 5. If the result is negative, the student will be released from their isolation. If the result is positive, the student may receive another rapid antigen test on campus on Day 7. If the result is still positive, the student should continue to isolate until Day 10 and then will be released from isolation.

• Please call Health Services at 603-646-9440 if you feel ill or are concerned about possible exposure. More information about Dartmouth COVID-19 health and safety is available on the Dartmouth Together COVID-19 website.

What if I test positive prior to arriving on campus?

• Students who tested positive using a non-Dartmouth test should begin their isolation immediately and email Dick’s House (records@dartmouth.edu) a copy of their positive test result along with their Dartmouth ID number.

• If you have isolated for 10 days after your positive test, return to campus as planned.

• If you have isolated for fewer than 10 days, you may return to campus after you have completed at least five days in isolation and have received a negative antigen test result. On Day 5, take a rapid antigen test, which can be found over the counter at local pharmacies and drug stores among other places. If the result is negative, you may arrive on campus as planned. If you have a positive test result, take another rapid antigen test on Day 7. If you do not have a negative result on Day 5 or Day 7, isolate until Day 10 and then you may return to campus.

• Upon receiving a negative antigen test result, email a copy of your negative antigen test result to Dick’s House at records@dartmouth.edu. Students do not need to wait for confirmation from Dick’s House or Axiom to return to campus.

• Students who, per the above, are required to isolate beyond the start of the term should contact their professors directly to devise a plan to keep up with their coursework.

What if I have been exposed to someone who tested positive?

• Students who have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive should wear a face covering, limit close contact with others, and contact the Dartmouth College Health Service (603-646-9400). If you have not tested in the last 48 hours, please test as soon as possible. If you have tested in the past 48 hours, please test again on Day 5 after exposure.

Thank you for your dedication to the health and safety of the Dartmouth community. We are hopeful that the reduced length of isolation and the new isolation protocols will allow us to continue our commitment to Dartmouth’s community and to provide an in-person learning experience when practicable.

With any questions, please email covid-19.info@dartmouth.edu.