This page contains information about Fitchburg State University's COVID-19 management matrix for Spring 2022. The table below indicates how positive cases will be treated on campus, using the following definitions:
- Fully vaccinated: A person is considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 when 14 days have passed after receiving the second dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines or 14 days have passed since receiving a single dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine.
- Unvaccinated/partial vaccination: A person is considered unvaccinated for COVID-19 if 14 days have not passed since receiving the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine. Unvaccinated students and employees are required to test weekly for COVID-19.
- Boosted: A person who has received the primary series of two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) with a third dose for people who received a two shots series or a second shot for those people receiving one shot of J&J
- COVID-19 Positive: The person who currently has or recently contracted the COVID-19 virus. This person is considered actively contagious and can potentially transmit the virus to other individuals.
- Documented COVID-19 Positive within the last 90 days: A person who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in the last 90 days who has documented proof of a positive result. This person is not recommended to get vaccinated or test for the 90 day period after their confirmed positive result.
- Isolation: A person who tests positive for the COVID-19 virus must isolate to prevent the transmission of the virus to other individuals. The person's isolation period is 5 days from either date of positive test or onset of symptoms and they may end isolation after five full days if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved. They should continue to wear a well-fitting face covering around others at home and in public for five additional days.
- Quarantine: Those who have been exposed may end quarantine after five full days following their last contact with a person who has COVID-19, unless symptoms develop. Those who develop symptoms should get tested immediately off-campus. Those who do not develop symptoms should get tested at least five days after their last close contact with someone with COVID-19. If they test negative, continue to wear a well-fitting face covering around others until 10 days after last contact. Those who test positive must follow the isolation guidance.
- Unvaccinated Close Contact: Any unvaccinated person who has been exposed to the COVID-19 virus by being within 6 feet of a COVID-19 positive individual for 15 minutes or more either consecutively or cumulatively within a 24 hour period, with or without a mask. If you're identified as a unvaccinated close contact, you will be contacted by a member of the COVID operations team or a Human Resources representative regarding quarantine guidance.
- Vaccinated Close Contacts: A person who is fully vaccinated that has come within 6 feet of a COVID-19 positive person for longer than 15 must be tested for COVID-19 between days 3 and 5 from their last date of exposure and monitor for symptoms.
- Individuals Experiencing Symptoms: A person who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must refrain from all in-person activities on campus to include classes, sports and/or in person meetings and gatherings or work until they are symptom free. Students should notify the office of Student Affairs and employees should notify the office of Human Resources that they are experiencing symptoms. They should also contact their primary care physician or may contact Community Health Connections located at 375 Nichols Road, Fitchburg or 175 Connors St., Gardner.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- fever or chills
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- fatigue, muscle or body aches
- headache
- new loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- congestion or runny nose
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
- persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- new confusion
- inability to wake or stay awake
- bluish lips or face
Individuals Experiencing Symptoms
| Not fully vaccinated | Fully vaccinated | Documented positive within last 90 days |
| Must refrain from all in-person activities on campus to include classes, sports and/or in person meetings and gatherings or work until they are symptom free. Students should notify the office of Student Affairs and employees should notify the office of Human Resources that they are experiencing symptoms. They should also contact their primary care physician or may contact the Community Health Connections Action Center at 130 Water St., Fitchburg or 175 Connors St., Gardner. |
Quarantine and Isolation
| Not fully vaccinated | Fully vaccinated | Documented positive within last 90 days | |
| Close contacts |
Stay home and quarantine for at least 5 full days. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home. Even if you don’t develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. After quarantine, watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results. Wear a well-fitted mask around others. Take precautions until day 10 Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask. Avoid travel Avoid being around people who are at high risk |
You do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms. Even if you don’t develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19 Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results. Wear a well-fitted mask around others. Take precautions until day 10 Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask. Avoid travel Avoid being around people who are at high risk |
You do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms. Even if you don’t develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19 Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results. Wear a well-fitted mask around others. Take precautions until day 10 Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask. Avoid travel Avoid being around people who are at high risk |
| Positive Test |
Stay home and isolate for at least 5 full days. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home.
If you were severely ill with COVID-19, you should isolate for at least 10 days. Consult your doctor before ending isolation. Take precautions until day 10 Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask. Avoid travel Avoid being around people who are at high risk |
Stay home and isolate for at least 5 full days. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home.
If you were severely ill with COVID-19, you should isolate for at least 10 days. Consult your doctor before ending isolation. Take precautions until day 10 Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask. Avoid travel Avoid being around people who are at high risk |
You do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms. Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results. Wear a well-fitted mask around others. Take precautions until day 10 Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask. Avoid travel Avoid being around people who are at high risk |