Dear colleagues,
Since we are in the peak illness season, it's important to know the prevalence of colds, flu, and COVID-19. For current COVID-19 updates, you can visit the COVID-19 Wastewater Results site. All Rice University students, staff, and faculty are urged to stay home if they feel unwell. Staff and faculty should inform their supervisors in case of absence due to illness, and students are required to notify their professors. Additionally, it is recommended that everyone gets vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. Vaccines are widely available at local pharmacies and are usually covered by health insurance.
Rice is holding an additional faculty and staff on-campus clinic for flu and COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday, February 1, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am in the Farnsworth Pavilion. You can register for the event online.
The following are guidelines for returning to work or school after an illness:
For General Viral Illnesses (Excluding COVID-19):
- Symptoms can include fever, chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, muscle or body aches, headache, and fatigue.
- The flu differs from a common cold in its sudden onset and more intense symptoms.
- You should stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and a fever (100°F/37.8°C or higher).
- Remain at home for at least 24 hours after your fever subsides without using fever-reducing medications like Tylenol.
For detailed guidelines, visit the CDC's flu resource page here: www.cdc.gov/flu.
If you have cold or flu symptoms, you should get tested for COVID-19, which continues to mutate and remains highly contagious. Remember, while you might have a low risk of severe illness, others in the community or workplace could be more vulnerable.
COVID-19 tests are usually covered by insurance and are often free through U.S. Government programs. More information is available at this site: www.covid.gov/. Additionally, students can obtain a free COVID-19 test from Student Health Services.
If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home and isolate for at least five days, as the virus is most contagious during this period. Following the CDC's guidelines is crucial for your health and the safety of others.
The duration of isolation for COVID-19 depends on the severity of your symptoms:
- If asymptomatic: Isolation may end after day five.
- If symptoms improve: Isolation can end after day five, provided you've been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
- If symptoms don't improve: Continue isolating until you've been fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
- Moderate illness (e.g., shortness of breath, difficulty breathing): Isolate through day 10.
- Severe illness (e.g., hospitalization, weakened immune system): Isolate through day 10 and consult a doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a negative COVID-19 test is not recommended.
- For all COVID-19 cases, wear a mask around others through day 10 of your illness.
If you have access to antigen tests, you can consider removing your mask before day 10 if two consecutive negative tests are taken 48 hours apart.
If isolation is affecting your mental health, support is available. Students can contact Rice's student wellbeing office, employees can contact the Employee Assistance Program, and those enrolled in Rice's employee health insurance can use Teladoc services.
Please take care of yourselves and each other.
Kelly Fox, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration