Isolation
Isolation is intended for people who are sick, beginning to show symptoms, feeling ill and think they might have COVID 19, or have tested positive for COVID-19. Isolation is different from quarantine. A negative COVID test while you are in isolation will not reduce the isolation period.
Symptoms may be mild and feel like a common cold, especially early on. Early symptoms could include a combination of cough, body aches, fatigue and chest tightness. Some people may not develop a fever or a fever may not appear until several days into the illness.
Isolation can be voluntary or mandated by a public health professional.
Email contacttracing@colorado.edu
Emails and voicemails are checked regularly, including weekends.
When should you isolate?
You should begin isolation as soon as you:
The isolation timeframe is provided to students during case investigation.
The most important part about isolation is to follow the guidance provided by a public health official.
When to leave isolation
You will receive additional isolation information from a case investigator along with a projected date when you may leave isolation. A case investigator will call to check in on your symptoms and confirm when you can leave isolation. Only a case investigator can clear someone from isolation.
What is the isolation timeframe?
If you test positive on or after December 28, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, needs to stay home for five days. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after isolating for a full five days (and fever-free for at least 24 hours), you can leave isolation and must continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.
How is isolation calculated?
The date symptoms start or a positive test was collected if you have no symptoms is considered day 0. For example, you receive a positive COVID test result or symptoms started January 1, January 1 would be day 0 and you would isolate for five full days through January 6. If you are feeling better and fever free, you could leave isolation January 7 and wear a mask around others through January 11.
Where and how should you isolate?

Stay home
Stay home except to receive medical care; do not come to campus, visit with others or take public transportation.
Remain in isolation until cleared by a public health staff member.

Monitor your symptoms
Monitor your symptoms and notify a healthcare provider of any changes or worsening of symptoms.

Avoid close contact with other members of your household and pets
Avoid contact with other members of your household. Stay in a separate room from other household members and use a separate bathroom, if possible.

Wash your hands
Regularly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. Disinfect common surfaces daily.

Wear a face mask
If you must be around other people inside or outside of your household, wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Keep six feet of distance between yourself and others at all times.
The most important part about isolation is to follow the guidance provided by a public health official.
When to seek emergency medical care
If you or someone you know is showing any of these signs or symptoms*, seek emergency medical care immediately:
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility and notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
*This list does not cover all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Notify faculty members and work (if applicable)
Contact faculty members and/or your supervisor to let them know you will not be able to participate in in-person activities. Employees may direct questions regarding leave options to leave@colorado.edu. Students who have reached out to faculty and aren’t sure what to do, for example, if symptoms become more severe or are looking into additional academic options, please submit a self-referral form and a Student Support Case Manager will reach out to you directly to provide assistance and/or connect you with additional support resources.
Quarantine
Quarantine is intended for people who are not sick, do not have symptoms of COVID-19, and are identified as a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Quarantine is like calling a time-out, to learn more about the situation. It can be voluntary or mandated by the state or a public health agency.
How to find out if you need to quarantine
To determine if you need to quarantine or not, we recommend connecting with the contact tracing team via:
The contact tracing team will connect with you for a brief phone call to learn more about your situation to tailor information and next steps appropriately.