NDMU has protocols and procedures in place for individuals who test positive for COVID-19. Faculty, staff, students, and contractors who meet certain criteria, including displaying symptoms or being exposed via close contact to a known COVID-19 positive person, may be required to undergo quarantine and/or testing prior to entering or returning to campus.

  • COVID-19 testing is provided by state and local authorities through your healthcare provider or via NDMU (see On-Demand Testing section below).
  • Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms.
  • Isolation is used to separate people infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from people who are not infected.

UPDATED (August 17, 2022) The following information details what is required of faculty, staff, students, and contractors who test positive or are deemed to have a close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.

Regardless of Vaccination Status

  • If an individual tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate for a minimum of 5 days. See Positive Test Results section below. If symptomatic, Day 0 is the date symptoms began. If asymptomatic, Day 0 is the date of your positive test. Individuals should avoid travel and strictly wear a mask around others through Day 10.
  • If an individual has no symptoms but had close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, no quarantine is required, but testing is required 5 days from exposure. Individuals should self-monitor and strictly wear a mask around others through Day 10.
  • If an individual is displaying COVID-19 related symptoms, they should promptly seek COVID-19 testing. 

Individuals who test positive should promptly Self-Report to the University. Individuals who test positive should also inform their supervisor/professor(s) of their positive status. See Positive Test Results and Contract Tracing below.

A flow chart has been developed that outlines the University’s COVID-19 response procedures.

Surveillance Testing (Updated: August 17, 2022)

At this time, routine surveillance testing for COVID-19 is no longer required. On-Demand testing remains available. The University may reinstate COVID-19 surveillance testing as conditions warrant.

On-Demand Testing 

The University offers free on-demand COVID-19 “rapid” testing for individuals exhibiting COVID-19 related symptoms or are deemed to have a close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Walk-in hours are available on the following days/time and locations:

University Nurse – FIC Room 013/014
Monday – Thursday – 5:00pm to 8:00pm

School of Pharmacy – Knott 002
Monday – Friday – 9:00am to 4:00pm

Student Life – MBK Suite
Monday – Friday – 9:00am to 5:00pm (Note – Staff may be in and out of the office. If a staff member is not available to assist you, please check back later or visit another test pickup location)

Positive Test Results

Faculty, staff, students, and contractors who test positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate at home or in designated residence hall space and follow CDC guidance prior to returning or entering the campus community. NDMU is following the CDC’s recommended recovery strategy. If an individual tested positive for COVID-19 and had symptoms, clearance to come to campus may be assigned when:

  1. the individual remains fever-free without the use of fever reducers for 24 hours, AND
  2. Symptoms have improved (lose of taste and smell may persist for week or months after recovery), AND
  3. it has been at least 5 days since their symptoms first appeared (day 0).

If an individual tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms, the individual can be cleared to return 5 days after the test as long as the individual does not develop symptoms. If the individual develops symptoms, then the individual must follow the recovery strategy for those with symptoms.

Individuals who tested positive must submit a recovery self-certification form in order to be approved to return to on-campus activities. Notification for return to on-campus activities is directed through the Office of Risk Management & Public Safety and/or the Offices of Student Life, Human Resources, or Auxiliary Services.

All information obtained will be treated confidentially in accordance with applicable law and only shared on a “need-to-know” basis and with the applicable local health department.

Note: This site will be updated frequently with new announcements, additional policies and procedures as needed and as new information becomes available. We recommend that you check the site often and regularly.