Protocols for Contact Tracing and Possible Exposure to COVID-19

When a community member tests positive for COVID-19, UP will implement a contact tracing process through Residence Life, the Health and Counseling Center, or Human Resources.  Contact tracers work with students, faculty, and staff who test positive to identify close contacts.  Close contact is defined as spending 15 minutes or longer within six feet of another person.  

If it is determined that an individual was in close contact with a COVID-positive person in classrooms, residence halls, or offices, that individual will be notified. 

In the contact tracing process, UP is following CDC and Oregon Health Authority guidelines, protocols being implemented by fellow institutions of higher education, and epidemiological advice.  Based on this information, individuals who are notified that they have been exposed to COVID-19 should do the following.

Fully vaccinated students, faculty, and staff who are identified by a member of the contact tracing team as a close contact of a COVID-19 positive case may continue attending classes, teaching, and working in offices.  They do not need to quarantine if they are not experiencing symptoms.  However, they must:  

• Closely monitor their health for COVID-19 symptoms.
• Be vigilant about wearing a mask around others, both indoors and outdoors, until a negative test result.
• Get tested 3-5 days after exposure with a PCR test.
• If symptoms develop or a test is positive, isolate for 10 days from symptom onset or positive test
  • For students, please contact the Health and Counseling Center or COVID Case Management Team to report your symptoms/test result. For employees, please contact Human Resources.

Unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff who are identified by a member of the contact tracing team as a close contact of a COVID-19 positive case will be required to quarantine in their residence hall room or in their off-campus residences until 10 days from exposure. 

• They should not attend in-person classes or other in-person events.
• They should closely monitor their symptoms and students should contact the Health and Counseling Center if symptoms develop.  
• If symptoms do develop, the individual will be required to move into isolation for 10 days from symptom onset or positive test.