Where can I get a COVID test on campus?

• Framingham State University Health Center will provide free rapid antigen home COVID tests to FSU students and employees as needed. Rapid tests can be picked up outside of Foster Hall, Room 208, Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.
• Students and employees should also obtain free rapid antigen tests off campus:
  • Free at home rapid test kits are available at pharmacies through your insurance 
• Limited PCR testing is also available on campus.

Should I take a rapid antigen test or a PCR test?

• Generally, we recommend people use rapid antigen tests because the results are available in 15 minutes and a positive test informs you that you are currently potentially infectious toward others.
• To decrease the chance of a false negative result, if someone has symptoms or a recent known exposure and tests negative, another  antigen test should be repeated in 48 hours. For further information to find out which test is right for you go to CDC Guidance: Choosing a Test

Do I have to wear a mask on campus?

• Effective Sept 1, no universal mask mandate will be in place at the University. 
• Masking is required in certain locations that pose an increased risk of transmission including:

Counseling Center
Health and Wellness Center
Athletic Training Services

• Masks are required for 10 days after exposure to anyone who tests positive for Covid.
• Masks are required for 5 days after completing isolation.
• The University may change the masking requirements depending upon the level of known transmission of COVID-19 on campus. 

What should I do if I’ve been exposed to someone with Covid?

• Wear a mask as soon as you find out you were exposed and for 10 days after last exposure.
• Take a home rapid antigen test 5 full days after the last date of exposure (day “0” is the day you were exposed)
• If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19, isolate and test immediately. 
• If you test positive, read “what should I do if I test positive for COVID”.

What should I do if I have symptoms of Covid?

• Any COVID Symptoms (including very mild symptoms) qualify 
• Wear a mask when around others.
• Take a rapid COVID-19 antigen test as soon as possible. 
• If your test is negative, CONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK and take another COVID test 48 hours later. 
• If your second test is negative, you may discontinue mask wearing. 

What should I do if I test positive for Covid (STUDENTS)

• Inform the Health Center at healthcenter@framingham.edu or 508-626-4900
• A healthcare provider will contact you to discuss isolation requirements and how to take care of yourself.
• Isolate away from others for at least 5 full days either at home or in a designated isolation room in the residence hall. The day you test positive is Day 0.
• Notify your close contacts either directly or through a service like tellyourcontacts.org
• Notify deanofstudents@framingham.edu and your professors if you are going into isolation and will miss class.
• You may end isolation on day 6 if your symptoms have mostly resolved.
• You must wear a mask days 6-10 when around others.
• You may remove your mask before day 11 if you have 2 negative tests 48 hours apart.

CDC Guidance: Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19

CDC Guidance: What to Do if You Are Sick With COVID-19

What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19: STAFF/FACULTY

• Inform Human Resources at hr-leaves@framingham.edu or call 508-626-4570.
• Seek medical advice and care as needed through their PCP or local urgent care center. 
• Notify  your close contacts either directly or through a service like Tell your contacts
• Isolate away from others for 5 full days. The day you test positive is Day 0.
• You may end isolation on day 6 if your symptoms have mostly resolved.
• You must wear a mask days 6-10 when around others.
• You may remove your mask before day 11 if you have 2 negative tests 48 hours apart.
• The HC provides in-person and telehealth care exclusively to Framingham State University students. HC does not provide healthcare to FSU staff or faculty. FSU staff and faculty with COVID symptoms should seek medical advice and care from their PCP or local urgent care centers.

Q: What should I do if a student in my class exhibits symptoms that are consistent with a COVID infection?

A: A student exhibiting symptoms should be referred to the FSU Health Center for evaluation.

Q: What should I do if a student informs me they tested positive for COVID?

A: If a student informs you they have tested positive for COVID, you should (a) inform the student not to come to in person class until they are past the isolation period, and (b) ask the student to report this to the Health Center if they have not already done so.

Q: Will I be notified if a student in my class tests positive for COVID?

A: As with any other illness or injury that results in a need for an absence from class, you will be notified by the Dean of Students Office of an absence that is due a medical condition. However, the notification does not specify the medical diagnosis, as that constitutes personal medical information. The notification that you receive indicating a 5-day absence for a student could be due to a positive test result.

Q: What kinds of accommodations are we expected to give students who are required to quarantine?

A: If a student needs to miss class due to quarantining or isolation requirements, you should provide the same kinds of support and assistance that you would provide to any student who needs to be absent from class due to illness or injury. Students will reach out to notify you if they will be absent from class due to any COVID related reason.

Q: One of my staff has arrived on campus, has reported to work, and is exhibiting symptoms, what should I do?

A: It’s always advisable if someone is sick or exhibiting symptoms of an illness that they not stay on the job where they have the potential to spread their illness to others. As COVID symptoms often seem like a cold, allergy or flu, testing of a symptomatic individual is important to reduce the possibility of the spread of the illness. Supervisors should ask the employee exhibiting symptoms to go home and take a COVID test.

The employee must use accrued leave time for an absenteeism due to a COVID related matter, unless the supervisor approves remote work if feasible and the employee feels well enough to work.

Q: One of my staff reports receiving a positive COVID test result, what should I advise them?

A: An employee should not come to work on campus after receiving a positive COVID test result. The employee should not work on campus for at least five days following a positive COVID test and should test negative using a home rapid test prior to returning to campus.

The employee must use accrued leave time for this absence, unless the supervisor approves remote work if feasible and employee feels well enough to work. 

The supervisor should report this information to Human Resources at 508-626-4570 or hr-leaves@framingham.edu so that HR staff may advise the supervisor and employee on current protocols. 

Q: One of my staff has called out sick and is describing flu-like symptoms what should I advise them?

A: An employee should not come to work while feeling sick, but should follow standard procedures for calling out sick.

Q: I have to miss work because:
• I’m waiting for my COVID test results
• I have tested positive for COVID-19
• I’m caring for a family member with COVID-19

A: Call the Human Resources office at 508-626-4570 or email hr-leaves@framingham.edu to determine the type of time that you are eligible to use depending upon your individual situation.

Q: One of my staff recently tested positive for COVID – should I have our office area cleaned?

A: You can contact Human Resources at 508-626-4570. They will discuss the circumstances with the Facilities department to determine if additional cleaning/sanitizing is required. In accordance with CDC guidelines, if it has been more than 24-hours since the employee has been on campus, additional cleaning is typically not required.