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All students who test positive for COVID-19 are urged to take steps to enhance their recovery and to prevent the spread of the illness to others. While most students are at low risk of complications from COVID-19, other people could suffer from severe complications – including death – if they contract the highly contagious virus from you. Stay home and away from others (including the people you live with who are not sick) if you have COVID-19. There are more specific steps you can take below.

If you test positive, immediately:

1. Put on a high-quality mask and avoid contact with other people.
2. Go to your room/residence and remain there.
3. Avoid being in public until your symptoms are improving AND your fever is gone for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or naproxen sodium (Aleve).
4. For the five days after you restart your normal activities, keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick to other people, even if you are feeling better. Take additional steps for , , , and/or .

Limiting the exposure of other people

Going home while you recover from COVID-19 may be the most comfortable experience for you and your roommates/suitemates. It will also limit the number of people you expose to your illness. If you cannot return home, then you may remain in your on-campus residence hall room or your off-campus apartment until you are able to return to your normal activities.

• Don’t return to normal activities too early. You are still highly contagious during this period.
• Don't leave your bedroom for any reason, other than to use the restroom, to get meals, for emergencies such as a fire alarm or to receive essential medical care.
• Don't attend classes, labs, club meetings, etc.
• If you must use a shared space to make food or use the restroom, wear a well-fitting mask, limit the amount of time you spend in there and wipe down all surfaces you have touched with a disinfectant when you leave. 
• Everyone should wear a well-fitting mask at all times when in the same room as you, except when sleeping. Sleeping with a mask on is not recommended by the health department.
• Wash your hands frequently. 
• Don't share personal household items like cups, towels and utensils.
• Clean high-touch surfaces daily with disinfectant wipes (counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, bedside tables, etc.).  

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Navigating COVID-19 illness and recovery

Communicate with the people you live with 

Individuals who test positive should share their status with the people they live with and implement a plan previously agreed upon (see “Make a plan now” on the COVID-19 homepage).

Close contacts of people with COVID-19 no longer need to quarantine, but they should wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) whenever they are around other people for ten days after their last exposure. If a close contact is or becomes symptomatic, they should get tested immediately. If they remain without symptoms, they should take a COVID-19 test five days after their exposure to the individual who tested positive ends (NOT earlier). This is to ensure they are not an “asymptomatic positive.”

Meals while navigating COVID-19

If you have a meal plan, you may ask a friend to pick up food for you with your Binghamton University ID at an on-campus food venue. There is no on-campus food delivery service for students who are recovering from COVID-19. You may also use contactless food delivery services (e.g. Door Dash, Grub Hub, InstaCart) to order and have food delivered at your own expense.

Academics while navigating COVID-19 

It is your responsibility to inform your professors and work directly with them to ensure you remain up to date with your coursework. Neither the Decker Student Health Services Center (DSHSC) nor the Brrome County Health Department gives notes to excuse students from classes, even if one is requested by your instructor.  

Additional resources:

• University Tutoring Services
• Success coaches can help you navigate academic challenges. Virtual appointments are available as are asynchronous resources for your academic success.
• Academic advising:
  • College of Community and Public Affairs
  • Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences
  • Harpur College of Arts and Sciences
  • School of Management
  • Watson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

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Returning to normal activities after having COVID-19

You may resume normal activities as long as your symptoms are improving AND your fever is gone for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Aleve), or naproxen sodium (Aleve).  See detailed CDC guidance .

If symptoms are not improving and/or you have not been fever-free for 24 hours, you should remain at home until you meet both conditions. If you have returned to your usual activities and you develop a fever again, or you begin feeling worse, it is highly recommended that you make an appointment at the DSHSC to be evaluated.  In addition, you should stay away from others and wait until your symptoms improve and you are fever-free for 24 hours before resuming public interactions.

The University does not require any formal documentation when you return, but you should keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better.  Be sure to take added precautions for the next five days, including steps for , , , , and/or.  

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Frequently asked questions

• Who can I contact for help while I'm sick with COVID-19?

  If you live on campus, have an emergency and need immediate assistance call University Police at 607-777-2222. If you reside off-campus and are having an emergency, call 911. 

  In addition:

  • Call Decker Student Health Services (607-777-2221) with any medical concerns. After hours, follow the instructions in the voicemail to speak with a registered nurse  who can help you decide what to do.
  • The University Counseling Center (607-777-2772) is available to assist you with mental health concerns. Press ext. 2 after business hours.
  • Rely on your friend network to assist you.
• My instructor is requesting proof I tested positive for COVID-19. Can DSHSC provide that?

  Neither the University nor the Broome County Health Department provide such documents to students or instructors. If you are unable to work out a solution with your instructor, contact the department chair with your difficulties.

• Can I complete my recovery at home or off campus?
  Yes, but you are expected to continue to follow the New York State and CDC .
• When can I return to normal activities?
  You should remain at home until your symptoms are improving AND your fever is gone for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or naproxen sodium (Aleve).  See the full CDC guidelines . 
• Do I actually have to stay in my room?
  Yes, with the exceptions listed above under "Limiting the exposure of other people." Doing so will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to other people who may suffer severe complications or death from this highly contagious virus.