COVID-19 Guidelines & Protocols

The parameters and guidance below were developed based on the strategies associated with the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels. They may be modified if the local Community Level changes or if other public health recommendations are provided.

The CDC provides additional guidance for individuals who are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system), as they are more likely to get sick with COVID-19 or be sick for a longer period. Hope College strongly recommends that immunocompromised persons follow the relevant CDC guidance, including the creation of a personal COVID-19 plan in consultation with their healthcare provider.

Testing

The Health Center is closed during the summer, and COVID-19 testing is not available on campus. A list of COVID testing sites in the area is maintained by the Ottawa County Department of Public Health.

It is recommended that all individuals maintain a supply of COVID-19 self tests (aka “home tests”). These can be used for rapid diagnosis of symptoms or for their own asymptomatic (“peace of mind”) testing.

Isolation(Positive test)

If an individual tests positive for COVID-19, they are responsible to isolate for 5 days regardless of vaccination status in accordance with CDC guidelines. During this time, they should not attend class or work and should remain separate from others to the extent possible. Furthermore, If they are immunocompromised they should immediately consult with their healthcare provider to determine if any additional steps are necessary.

Students who reside in college housing and need to isolate are strongly encouraged to return to their permanent (i.e., non-Hope) residence by a private vehicle and safely isolate themselves at home. See the “Student Isolation Location” section below for more details.

Students and employees are responsible for notifying their professors and work supervisors of the need to isolate. They are also responsible to inform any close contacts* of their exposure to COVID-19 and advise them to consult this document and the CDC guidelines for further instruction. Additional notification to the college is not required, and professors will not be notified by college personnel of student absences.

For isolation, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms or a positive viral test, and Day 1 is the first full day after symptoms developed (for those with symptoms) or the test specimen was collected (for those without symptoms). Isolation ends after the conclusion of Day 5 if the individual is fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and their symptoms are improving. A subsequent negative COVID-19 test cannot eliminate the 5-day isolation or shorten the duration.

A person who isolates is responsible to wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) through the conclusion of Day 10 any time they are around others inside their home or in public, and should not go to places where they are unable to wear a mask. They should not travel through the conclusion of Day 10. Masking and travel restrictions can be discontinued prior to Day 10 with two (2) sequential negative antigen tests 48 hours apart.

If a person gets very sick from COVID-19 or has a weakened immune system, they should immediately consult with their healthcare provider, isolate for at least 10 days and consult their healthcare provider before ending isolation.

* A close contact is someone who was less than 6 feet away from a confirmed COVID-19 infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting 2 days before the infected person developed symptoms or tested positive.

Student Isolation Location

Students who reside in college housing and need to isolate are strongly encouraged to return to their permanent (i.e., non-Hope) residence by a private vehicle and safely isolate themselves at home. If they are unable to return to their permanent residence, the student should isolate-in-place and should only leave their room for restroom, food, medical appointments and to go outside. For situations involving a roommate, the isolating student and all roommates should wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) in the room while awake.

• The isolating individual should not have sustained interactions with others and should wear a mask at all times when not in the room or when the roommate is present and awake.
• No one other than the official residents should enter a living unit while someone is isolating there.
• Roommates or friends can bring meals to the isolating student. For those on a meal plan, the student’s ID can be used to obtain self-service carryout meals from the dining halls.
• Students will not be reimbursed for tuition, room, board or other fees due to isolation or exposure.

Student Academic Work While in Isolation

Students are responsible for notifying their professors of their need to isolate. Additional notification to the college is not required, and professors will not be notified by college personnel of student absences.

Upon knowing they need to isolate, a student is responsible for contacting each of their professors about materials and assignments that will be missed. Professors should coordinate with students to ensure that any materials or assignments missed during isolation are provided in the most timely and effective manner possible. When appropriate and effective, professors are encouraged to facilitate real-time participation via Google Meet or equivalent methods.

Exposure to Covid

Persons who have had recent confirmed or suspected exposure to a COVID-19 infected person that meets the criteria for close contact* should wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) for 10 days around others when indoors in public and should receive testing 5 or more days after exposure (or sooner, if they are symptomatic), regardless of their vaccination status.

Furthermore, If the exposed individual is immunocompromised they should immediately consult with their healthcare provider to determine if any additional steps are necessary.

Students and employees who are close contacts* who start experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should isolate (per the guidance above) and contact their healthcare provider for further instruction.

* A close contact is someone who was less than 6 feet away from a confirmed COVID-19 infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting 2 days before the infected person developed symptoms or tested positive.

Vaccines

All students, employees and visitors to campus are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Consult the vaccines.gov website to find vaccination/booster locations near you.

While COVID-19 vaccination is not required for activities on the Hope College campus, some off-campus programs and experiences facilitated by other organizations (e.g,. internships, study abroad programs) may include a vaccination requirement.

Masks

Wearing a mask is a personal choice and optional everywhere on campus with the exception of those who are isolating and anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19.

In a small number of academic instructional spaces (classes, labs, performances, etc.) a professor may request that all those present wear a mask where the circumstances of the activity or an individual participant necessitate masking. Students are expected to comply with this request for the safety of all members of the class.

Consistent with the mission and core values of Hope College it is expected that all students, employees and visitors will honor any requests from others to wear a mask. In support of this expectation, it is recommended that each student and employee maintains their own supply of well-fitting face masks while on campus, and that everyone carries a mask with them at all times.

When a mask is needed, one that fully covers the nose and mouth should be used. In all situations, cloth masks are not recommended, and high-quality masks or respirators (e.g., N95) are preferred.

If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19 at Hope College, please email healthcenter@hope.edu.