Healthy Brown

Isolation Protocols

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Isolation Protocols

Brown’s isolation protocols for Spring 2022 are based on updated guidance from the Rhode Island Department of Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

The University requires that community members who test positive for COVID-19 self-isolate for a period of five (5) days. The five-day period applies regardless of previous infection, vaccination or booster status, and the presence or absence of symptoms.

To calculate your 5-day isolation period, day 0 is your first day of symptoms OR your asymptomatic positive test date (whichever is earlier).
Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed or positive test result.
On day 5 you can take a rapid antigen test and if the result is negative and you have no symptoms or improving symptoms, you are released from isolation.
If the day-5 test is positive, you must continue to isolate until you have a negative result on a rapid test AND have no or improving symptoms OR reach day 10 (whichever is sooner).
If you are able to end isolation on day 5, it is important to wear a well-fitting mask around others for 5 additional days, even at home.

Isolation Protocols for Students

Brown’s primary focus for the Spring 2022 semester, especially during surges in cases, will be on supporting students who test positive and experience significant illness. Brown also will work to provide all students who report positive test results with basic support as needed.

Where students who test positive isolate will depend on their current living arrangements.

Undergraduates students who test positive and live on campus in private bedrooms (i.e., a single room, a single within a suite, or as the sole occupant of a double room) will isolate in their residence hall room, as will students who live in shared bedrooms and have roommates who have also tested positive.
For students who test positive and share a bedroom with a student who tests negative, designated isolation housing (i.e. dorm rooms set aside by the University or in a hotel) will be a primary option. In these cases, University Health Services will prioritize designated isolation housing based on a number of factors including the severity of symptoms and the ability to move roommates who test negative to alternative housing options.
Students who test positive and wish to leave campus to isolate will be able to do so only if they can use a private vehicle to leave campus and travel to their isolation location.
Undergraduate, graduate and medical school students who live off campus and test positive will continue to be expected to isolate at their off-campus residence.