Please Note: COVID-19 protocols will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. Please check this website frequently for the most up-to-date information. Updated: August 21, 2023.
On May 11, 2023, the national public health emergency around COVID-19 officially ended in the United States.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) revised the minimum guidelines for isolation and quarantine for those individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Lenoir-Rhyne has reviewed these recommendations and discussed with health and medical experts. Given the updated information and the recommendations, the following protocols are effective January 17, 2023 and are updated as best practice guidelines are revised.
Lenoir-Rhyne reserves the right to make individual modifications to this policy based on circumstances related to exposure or circumstances pertaining to individual diagnosis.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, must adhere to the following:
You should be tested if you suspect or develop the symptoms of COVID-19. Testing is available at Cornerstone Health, local pharmacies, urgent care or your personal health care provider.
Lenoir-Rhyne will accept the results of a home test kit. You are required to take a photo of the completed test with an accompanying card that states your name, LR email, phone number and date and time of test. A photo of your test result should be emailed to your designated contact (see Reporting below).
Isolate at home for a minimum of 5 days and wear your mask if around anyone at home.
You may end your isolation after 5 days if you have no symptoms, or your symptoms have resolved and you are without fever.
Your health care provider or LR's provider must approve your return to work, classes and activities. They must provide LR a written statement of medical clearance. You may also be approved to return if seen by Cornerstone Health on campus. Telehealth visits are available. Call 828.328.7959 to make an appointment.
Continue to wear a mask indoors and outdoors when around others for 5 additional days.
Anyone who has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must adhere to the following:
Simply wear a mask when around others for 10 days and rapid test on day five. Testing is available at Cornerstone Health, local pharmacies, urgent care or your personal health care provider. If you develop symptoms at any time, get a COVID-19 test and remain at home until you know the results.
However, in a case where one is living every day (not just a brief encounter) in the same residence with family members/roommates and one or more are/become infected with COVID-19, we need to take additional precautions. In these few cases, exposed persons are to remain at home. Each case is to be evaluated individually. At a minimum, these individuals would quarantine for approximately 7 days, be tested and their situation be re-evaluated for a safe return to campus. We will work with our medical advisors on the best course of action. The potential of multiple cases in a home, traveling back and forth each day to work or classes with daily exposure is a high risk
While rare, an increasing number of people who were treated for COVID-19 with Paxlovid are experiencing a recurrence of the disease 2-5 days after resolution of the original infection. While the person may have tested negative after completing the Paxlovid prescription, they may develop mild symptoms and once again test positive. Should you experience this, please resume isolation guidelines and notify your care provider and/or Cornerstone Health.
In the case of students, official reporting to faculty will come from the Dean of Students.
All students, faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must receive written medical clearance before returning to campus from a personal healthcare provider or from LR Cornerstone Health (Mary Fran Sears, PA-C). Cornerstone Health can be reached at 828.328.7959.
Lenoir-Rhyne reserves the right to make individual modifications to this policy based on circumstances related to exposure or circumstances pertaining to individual diagnosis.
High School Scholars students will need to contact and arrange for testing and medical clearance to return to campus with their personal care provider.