UChicago Student Wellness is available to support students with COVID-19 testing, consultation, and follow-up care, as necessary. If you are experiencing symptoms, please call Student Wellness (773.834.9355) to schedule an in-person appointment or log in to my.WellnessPortal to schedule a telehealth appointment.
Students who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or who have tested positive for COVID-19 should follow the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you have any questions or concerns regarding COVID testing or treatment, please call Student Wellness (773.834.9355).
Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines
As of September 12, 2023, CDC recommends the updated 2023-24 COVID vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and over. The vaccine is now available through several pharmacies and City of Chicago mass vaccine clinics. The Student Health Insurance Plan (USHIP) as well as all major insurances will fully cover the cost of the vaccine.
You can search and schedule an available COVID-19 vaccine through one of the following links:
Student Wellness will continue to monitor accessibility and availability of the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks and provide updates.
Information for Students Who Test Positive for COVID-19
The news that you have tested positive for COVID-19 may be disconcerting, but the University of Chicago is here to support you as you navigate this period. The following guidance will help you understand what you need to do and what resources are available to you. Given that you have tested positive for COVID-19, you are advised to isolate in your residence. While no one wants to stay away from the rest of campus, the goal is to enable you to recover while also protecting others from exposure to illness. Even if you are asymptomatic, isolation will help keep others safe while you are contagious. Isolation is used to separate sick people from healthy people.
The following information is taken directly from the CDC.
When to Isolate
Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.
You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results. If your results are positive, follow the full isolation recommendations below. If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.
IF YOU TEST NEGATIVE...
You can end your isolation.
IF YOU TEST POSITIVE...
Follow the full isolation recommendations below. When you have COVID-19, isolation is counted in days.
If you had no symptoms:
- Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result).
- Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested.
- If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset.
If you had symptoms:
- Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive.
- Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started.
Isolation
If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your residence.
You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.
- Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
- Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask. For travel guidance, see CDC’s Travel webpage.
- Do not travel.
- Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.
- Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
- Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
- Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
- Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Learn more about what to do if you have COVID-19.
Ending Isolation
End isolation based on how serious your COVID-19 symptoms were. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.
If you had no symptoms you may end isolation after day 5. If you had symptoms and your symptoms are improving, you may end isolation after day 5 if:
- You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
- Your symptoms are improving.
Removing Your Mask
After you have ended isolation, when you are feeling better (no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and symptoms improving), you may remove your mask after day 10. If you have access to antigen tests, you should consider using them. With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10.
Roommates
If your roommate(s) has/have tested positive for Covid-19, you have been exposed. Here are some exposure recommendations:
- You may still go to class and all activities.
- Minimize time spent in your room.
- Were a well-fitted mask (preferably N-95).
- Test at least 5 days after your exposure.
- Wear your mask for a minimum of 10 days.
- Take a rapid antigen test if you develop any symptoms.
When to Seek Emergency Assistance When You Have COVID-19
You should always seek treatment immediately if you feel your symptoms are truly serious. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, call 911 and/or go to the emergency room:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Difficulty speaking
- Chest or upper abdominal pressure or pain
- Confusion
- Any sudden or severe pain
- Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
The UChicago Medicine Emergency Room is located at: 5656 South Maryland Avenue (773.702.6250).
If you are not sure if you should seek immediate medical attention, please call the UChicago Student Wellness Nurse Line, available 24/7, at 773.834.9355.
Student Wellness Resources
If you feel you need immediate treatment of very serious or critical conditions, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If possible, call the emergency room before arriving and let them know that you have tested positive for COVID-19. The University of Chicago Medicine’s Emergency Department is located at: 5656 South Maryland Avenue (773.702.6250).
Staff from UChicago Student Wellness are available to discuss any symptoms you may be experiencing or any medical care you may need. Our on-campus physicians and clinicians are available to meet with you virtually, or in person, free of charge. You may call 773.834.9355 for appointments or medical advice. Also, a nurse is available to speak with you 24/7 to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Students on the University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP) may reach a doctor, 24/7, free of charge by visiting telehealth4students.com or calling 855.866.0895. Students not on U-SHIP may use this option; however, we encourage you to contact your insurance provider, as many insurance companies offer low- or no-cost telemedicine options.
For mental health concerns, call 773.702.3625 to reach our Therapist-on-Call, who is available 24/7.
For general inquiries or to schedule an initial appointment with a clinician, call 773.834.9355.
Let’s Talk provides easy access to free, informal, and confidential consultations with therapists. No appointment is necessary. In addition, support spaces, groups, and workshops are available to support an array of mental health needs. Further information on mental health options is available at wellness.uchicago.edu. Student Wellness is offering a number of programs online, including mindfulness, wellness coaching, and others. Visit wellness.uchicago.edu for an updated list of programs. We encourage you to reach out to our offices if you have any questions, concerns, or are in need of medical or mental health support.