What To Do if You Test Positive for COVID-19

The University of Portland is no longer requiring students, staff, or faculty to report a positive test result.

According to the Oregon Health Authority, a five-day period of isolation for those infected with COVID-19 is no longer recommended for the general population. Oregon public health officials believe widespread population immunity due to vaccination and repeated infections means many COVID-19 infections are now likely asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, and the five-day isolation period is doing little to reduce transmission.

Instead, officials say, the recommendation for the general population will be to:

• Stay home until fever free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving
• Avoid contact with individuals at increased risk for severe disease, including older adults and those with underlying medical conditions
• Wear a mask around others for 10 days

If you need to miss class due to COVID symptoms, please communicate with your professors to let them know. The Student Health Center does not provide sick notes to excuse class absences.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 can return to class once you are fever free for 24 hours and your symptoms are improving. You should continue to wear a mask around others for 10 days (starting from your first day of symptoms).

Symptom Management

Monitor your symptoms. If symptoms develop, most are mild to moderate resembling a cold or flu and can be best managed with rest, hydration, and Tylenol or Advil if needed.

If you need medical assistance, please contact the Student Health Center at 503.943.7134. If it’s outside of the Student Health Center’s regular hours, please see our After-Hours Primary Care page for telehealth options, nurse advice lines, and off-campus care options.

When to seek emergency medical attention (Call 911 or go to nearest ER): 

• Trouble breathing 
• Pain or pressure in chest 
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
  
  

Residential Students

The University no longer has dedicated isolation spaces for students who test positive for COVID-19. Students with COVID will be instructed to return home to isolate if they live locally or to isolate in place in their residence hall room. If the roommate of a student who tests positive is at increased risk due to underlying health conditions, they should reach out to their healthcare provider for recommendations. If the healthcare provider recommends the student be moved, Residence Life will do their best to accommodate this request. 

If you have questions, use the contacts below: 

• Student Health Center: hcc@up.edu, 503.943.7134, Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm   
• Your Hall Director or Assistant Hall Director