If You've Been Exposed
At some point you may be exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Follow these steps to protect yourself and others.
Quick Checklist
- If you have symptoms, isolate at home and self-test for COVID. Students who test positive and wish to speak with a Wellness Center provider, should contact the Wellness Center for instructions. All others should follow-up with their health care provider.
- If you do not have symptoms, get tested 5 full days after the exposure. Wear a well-fitting mask, monitor your symptoms, and take precaution for 10 days.
On-Campus Testing
Free self-test kits are available at the following locations while supplies last.
- Thurgood Marshall Library Circulation Desk during open hours
- Office of Residence Life - Alex Haley Residential Complex, Room 160
Symptomatic students who wish to be evaluated by a Wellness Center provider, please contact the Wellness Center at hwwc@ffmaueroehling.com or 301-860-4170 for further instructions.
Off-Campus Testing
You may get tested at your healthcare provider’s office or local urgent care facility.
Interpreting Test Results
What does a positive COVID-19 test result mean?
If you have a positive test result, it is very likely that you have COVID-19. You will need to isolate for 5 days to avoid spreading the virus to others. You should also contact the Wellness Center to report your test result if taken off-campus. You should continue to monitor symptoms and if symptoms develop, discuss these symptoms them along with any treatment with the Wellness Center.
What does a negative COVID-19 test result mean?
If you test negative for COVID-19 by a PCR test, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. However, that does not mean you will not get sick. The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. You might test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during your illness. You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after the test and get infected then.