Positive test or exposure to COVID-19
You do not need to be seen at the UHC if you test positive with a home COVID test. You should follow the Self-Care guidelines for COVID-19 and can also print a self-care note, then complete and sign the note to provide to your instructors if necessary.
JMU is following the recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health related to isolation. Follow this VDH guidance for the most up to date information.
If you live on campus and test positive you should consider returning home for isolation. If you stay on campus you must isolate in your room, not attend class and must wear a mask in all shared spaces (including bathrooms) for five days (the first day of symptoms is day zero.) You must continue to wear a mask everywhere you go and minimize contact with others for an additional five days after isolation ends. During isolation do not use a sit-down dining facility or retail location. COVID-19 food pantries have been set up at D-Hall lower level (behind Steak and Shake, it has its own outside entrance) and at Jemmies (which also has an outside entrance) on east campus. While in isolation you can visit these locations and punch for ready to heat or ready to eat meals, snacks, treats and beverages. You may also use your dining dollars or flex to have hot fast food meals delivered to your on-campus residence. Students with a meal plan can email dining@jmu.edu and request that a friend be able to pick up food using the sick student's JACard.
JMU is following the recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health related to quarantine. Follow this VHD guidance for the most up to date information.
Watch for symptoms and follow VDH guidance for 10 days after the exposure. If you develop symptoms you should begin isolation and get tested as soon as possible (using a self-test or through the UHC). Wear a well-fitting mask when around others.
A person with COVID-19 is infectious for at least 2 to 3 days before they develop any symptoms. By the time a person tests positive for COVID-19, they have already exposed their roommate(s) and intimate contacts.
If your current roommate tests positive, watch to see if you develop symptoms and follow VDH guidance for 10 days after their isolation ends. If you live on campus, are at high risk for severe disease from COVID and have a roommate who tests positive for COVID-19, you can contact the Office of Residence Life to discuss temporary housing options if desired.
Students should always work directly with their instructors for class-specific questions or issues, including attendance. Talk with your instructor in advance of missing a class. You can also print a self-care note, then complete and sign the note to provide to your instructors if necessary.
COVID-19 Testing
At this time, COVID-19 take-home tests are available free to students (while supplies last). You can visit the 2nd floor clinic entrance located inside SSC to pick up tests. Take-home tests are also available for sale in the pharmacy during normal business hours.
The University Health Center has both rapid antigen and rapid PCR test available for students receiving medical care.
Home COVID tests are also available at area retail stores and pharmacies.
A negative COVID test may be a true negative meaning you have another upper respiratory illness that is causing your symptoms or it can be a false negative meaning you have COVID but the test has not detected it.
If you test too early in the disease (within one to two days of symptom onset), the test may be a false negative. In this case, it is recommended to retest in 24 to 48 hours after the first test. If both tests are negative, it is unlikely that you have COVID-19. If you have had symptoms for three or more days and the test is negative, it is likely that this is a true negative and you have a different virus causing your symptoms.
If your rapid antigen test is negative, you can consider getting a PCR test, which is much more sensitive.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
JMU strongly recommends students be fully vaccinated (and boosted if appropriate) against COVID-19. This recommendation applies to undergraduate, graduate and part-time students who attend in-person classes, studies, research or activities.
This recommendation is aimed at decreasing the likelihood of severe disease or death within the JMU community and decreasing the likelihood of spread. Vaccines provide a high level of protection against severe disease and death if one were to get COVID-19.
Also, those who are vaccinated are less likely to become infected and spread the virus.
The University Health Center requests that students submit all required or recommended vaccines that the student has received, including COVID-19. While the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer required, it is very helpful to have this information in the medical record.
Upload a copy of your COVID-19 Vaccination Card (front and back) to MyJMUChart.
COVID vaccinations were added to the Immunization Form so incoming students can include it with that information (with a medical provider’s signature) or upload the card separately. All vaccine records should clearly state the person's name, date of birth, type of vaccine administered, date of administration, and location or name of place administered.
If you no longer have your vaccine card, you may submit an official proof of vaccination from a health department, pharmacy or physician's office.
Follow these instructions for to upload your COVID-19 vaccine documentation.
The COVID-19 vaccine is available at many local pharmacies. Check Vaccinate Virginia and VASE for locations offering the vaccine.
The UHC has a limited supply of the Moderna COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine. It is available to students only, please call 540-568-6178 for an appointment. Check VDH recommendations for eligibility information.
