Self- Return Respiratory Illness Guidance for UMass CHAN Students (updated 1/1/2026)

TO All UMass CHAN STUDENTS: It is the professional responsibility of ALL students to abide by the following guidelines for the safety of our students, faculty, and patients alike. UMass Memorial and UMass Chan have taken a self-return approach for respiratory illnesses such as Covid-19, Flu and RSV. The guidelines apply to ALL UMass Chan programs as noted below:

•          Respiratory illnesses are not required to be reported to Student Health. Testing is encouraged but not required. Students should stay home when they are ill to prevent spread of illness.

*** If you have a fever of >100.4 or if you have a positive test you must remain out of class or rotation at any UMass Memorial or UMass Chan sites for at least 3 days from either the onset of fever (>100.4) or the date of the positive test (whichever occurs first) regardless of symptom status.

Exception: Students with mild respiratory symptoms or who are not at patient-facing locations may participate if they feel well enough but must mask through day 7 and remove themselves if they develop a fever.

Student Self- Return Criteria. In addition to above may return onsite once ALL the following conditions are met:

•          Fever Free: At least 24 hours fever-free without medication
•          GI Symptoms:

Direct patient care - symptom free for 72 hours

Non-direct patient care- symptom free for 24 hours

•          Respiratory Symptoms: Significant improvement for at least 24 hours without medication.
•          Masking: Surgical mask must be worn through day 7 from symptom onset (10 days if you are immunocompromised ***)
•          Breaks: Eat meals and take breaks in separate locations to reduce transmission risk.

If you are at an off- site location for your rotation or clinical, please follow that institution’s respiratory illness guidelines and contact their Employee Health team.

***Definition of Moderately to Severely Immunosuppressed HCWs

•          Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: <1-year post-transplant and/or not cleared by a BMT physician.
•          Solid Organ Transplant: <6 months post-transplant or recent anti-rejection treatment (e.g., steroids, ATG, anti-CD56).
•          B-cell (Anti-CD20) Therapy: Received Rituximab, Ocrelizumab, Ofatumumab, or Epratuzumab in the past six months.
•          CAR-T Therapy: Within 1 year and not cleared by a BMT physician.
•          Active Leukemia/Lymphoma Treatment: Undergoing chemotherapy.
•          HIV Positive: CD4 count <100.

 

Exposure Protocol

•          Potentially Exposed students at school or outside of school are not required to test but should monitor for symptoms.
•          If symptoms develop, please follow the guidelines above.

 

Additional Questions: If you feel that your health conditions may put you at risk for severe symptoms and treatment may be needed, please contact your Primary Care Provider, or seek evaluation at an urgent care clinic in your area. Additional information can be found on the MA DPH website: Staying home to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses | Mass.gov

Please contact Student Health Services if you require further return guidance studenthealth@umassmemorial.org