Schiffert Health Center

If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you are sick:

• Keep track of your symptoms.
• If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), call 911.

Schiffert Health Center (SHC) does offer testing for COVID-19. If you get sick with fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing:

• Call ahead before you seek medical care at Schiffert Health Center (540-231-6444), LewisGale Hospital Montgomery-Emergency Department (540-951-1111) or your doctor’s office.
• Tell the receptionist or your providers about your recent travel and your symptoms.
• Avoid contact with others.
• Do not travel while sick.
• Wear a mask if you are around others. You don’t need to wear the mask if you are alone
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Information regarding testing locations, criteria, and scheduling can be found on the Public Health Information site.

Any student experiencing symptoms should make an appointment with Schiffert Health Center for medical evaluation and/or testing via the Online Student Health Portal or call (540)231-6444.

Fully vaccinated, non-symptomatic students may make an appointment through VT Notify for COVID-19 testing. If you have had contact with someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, the CDC recommends testing 3-5 days after your last contact with the individual. Students with any symptoms should not schedule testing through VT Notify.

Virginia Tech’s isolation and quarantine guidelines and policies can be found on the Public Health Information site. All students, regardless of vaccination status, should follow public health guidelines if they are symptomatic or have had contact with someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. Students should:

• Monitor your symptoms and take your temperature.
• Wear a mask indoors.
• Consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
• Stay 6 feet away from others.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.
• Cover coughs and sneezes. If wearing a mask, put on a clean mask as soon as possible and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily.

Further detailed information can be found on the CDC’s website.

The New River Health District’s website lists dates and locations of their upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Students in other parts of Virginia should visit your local health district office’s website.

You may also book a vaccination or booster appointment with a national pharmacy.

Delay all travel until you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s recommendations for unvaccinated people.

Do NOT travel if you were exposed to COVID-19, you are sick, you test positive for COVID-19, or you are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test. Learn when it is safe for you to travel. Don’t travel with someone who is sick.

Domestic Travel Recommendations

People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization can travel safely within the United States.

Not Vaccinated:

• Get tested 1-3 days before travel.
• Self-monitor for symptoms.
• Wear a mask and take other precautions during travel.
• Stay home and self-quarantine for a full 5 days after travel. Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after returning from travel.

Fully Vaccinated:

• Self-monitor for symptoms. Isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
• Wear a mask and take other precautions during travel.

You do NOT need to get tested or self-quarantine if you are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days. You should still follow all other travel recommendations.

International Travel

Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19. However, international travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some COVID-19 variants.

The COVID-19 situation, including the spread of new or concerning variants, differs from country to country. All travelers need to pay close attention to the conditions at their destination before traveling.

Not Vaccinated:

• Get tested 1-3 days before travel.
• Check for mandatory testing required before flying to the U.S. or your destination.
• When you return, stay home and self-quarantine for a full 5 days after travel.
• Get tested with a COVID-19 viral test 3-5 days after travel.
• Self-monitor for symptoms.
• Wear a mask and take other precautions during travel.

Fully Vaccinated:

• Check for mandatory testing required before flying to the U.S. or your destination.
• Wear a mask and take other precautions during travel.
• Get tested with a COVID-19 viral test 3-5 days after travel.
• Self-monitor for symptoms.

If you recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection within the last 90 days, follow all requirements and recommendations for fully vaccinated travelers except you do NOT need to get a test 3-5 days after travel unless you are symptomatic. People can continue to test positive for up to 3 months after diagnosis and not be infectious to others.