August 31, 2023
COVID-19 updates for fall 2023
With the expected rise in COVID-19 cases as classes are back in session, Kansas State University and Lafene Health Center recommend adhering to the isolation and quarantine guidance issued by the CDC. The guidelines have not changed recently. Here are a few reminders:
- If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should isolate for five full days at home and then wear a mask around others for days 6-10. Lafene Health Center will provide you with a letter listing those specific dates. If you test positive at home, contact Lafene, and we will send a letter to you with the dates of isolation to give to your professors, your RA if you live in the residence halls or your employer. Isolation means staying home and away from others in your household or place of residence.
- You are a close contact if you were closely around someone with COVID-19 any time starting two days before their symptoms started or after. Consider doing a home test five days after the last exposure. Close contacts don’t have to quarantine at home but are recommended to wear a mask when around others for 10 days and either do a home test or get tested at Lafene if they start to develop symptoms.
- Home tests are very accurate when they are positive. When they are negative, they can miss cases sometimes, particularly within the first 1-2 days of symptoms. It is best to do two different home tests on two separate days if symptoms just started within 24-48 hours. If both tests are negative, then COVID-19 is much less likely.
To limit the spread of COVID-19, individuals should monitor their health every day and stay home if not feeling well.
The target dates for a new booster vaccine are late September or early October. Lafene Health Center will keep you up to date on vaccine information as it is received.