FAQs About COVID-19

Published September 13, 2022

We know that this is a stressful time and we appreciate you reaching out for direction. Please know that our priority is your health. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to be able to help you navigate this. The answers to these questions come from the CDC and direction from SUNY.

What is a “close contact”?

Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). An infected person can spread SARS-CoV-2 starting from 2 days before they have any symptoms (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days before the positive specimen collection).

What should I do if I had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19?

If you’ve had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you don’t have symptoms. You should also wear a mask indoors in public for 10 days following exposure or until your test result is negative.

What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

Isolate for 5 days and report your positive test to the University via UB's COVID-19 Reporting Form immediately and also: -

Preclinical Students - email Sarah Crissy and Laura Willgohs to report your positive test.
Clinical Students - email Dr. Milling, Dr. Silvestri and Dr. Lesse as well as your clerkship/elective course director to report your positive test.

When can I return to school/clinic rotation after I test positive for COVID-19?

If you test positive for COVID-19, you can return to work when:

at least 5 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, and
at least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have resolved or are improving. Rhinorrhea, if present, has fully resolved.

*Please note that our hospital partners, Roswell and the VA, require students to wait at least 10 days since symptoms have passed before returning to clinic.

Where can I get tested for COVID-19?

A positive home test is acceptable if you are symptomatic. If your home test is negative, continue masking for the next five days. Symptomatic students should also consider getting a PCR test if the rapid antigen home test is negative as the PCR testing is more sensitive.

All students who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to obtain a booster and submit documentation. If you have not already done so, submit proof of your booster shot to UB Health Services via the patient portal as well as to our office at Medical Student COVID Vaccination Record.