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 standardized approach for respiratory illnesses such as Covid-19, Flu and RSV. The guidelines are as follows for respective UMass Chan programs as noted below:

If you are experiencing respiratory viral illness symptoms, please do not go to school.  Please go home if you are feeling ill and are on campus. If you are at a rotation, notify your preceptor/attending.

Self-Return Criteria for GSBS STUDENTS and NON-CLNICAL (not at patient facing sites)

Respiratory illnesses are not required to be reported to Student Health. Testing is not required.

·         Students in programs without patient contact may continue to work on-site if they feel well enough.

·         Must go home if fever develops (>100.4F)

·         Free of GI symptoms for at least 24 hours.

·         Must wear a face mask through day 7 from symptom onset while on-site.

·         May go to class or lab without a mask beginning on day 8.

Please visit the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) for additional information

 Staying home to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses | Mass.gov

 

MEDICAL AND GSN STUDENTS at any UMass Memorial Site (Patient- Facing Sites)

If you are feeling ill with respiratory symptoms, testing is encouraged but not required. Respiratory Illnesses are not required to be reported to Student Health.

Self- Return Criteria for Student Caregivers with Systemic Viral Respiratory Illness/Influenza-Like Illness and Fever >100.4, or Positive Viral Respiratory Test (Asymptomatic) at Patient- Facing Sites. Caregivers may return onsite once ALL the following conditions are met:

·         At least 3 days have passed since symptom onset (fever) or positive test (day 0).

·         At least 24 hours fever-free without the use of antipyretics.

·         Improvements in all other symptoms or return to baseline.

For GI Symptoms:

·         Direct patient care - symptom free for 72 hours

·         Non-direct patient care- symptom free for 24 hours

·         The caregiver feels well enough to go to clinical or rotation

Additional Requirements Upon Return:

·         Wear a facility-issued face mask 5 days post-return (10 days for immunocompromised caregivers). *** see definition

·         Eat meals and take breaks in designated separate areas to minimize transmission risk.

NOTE: If you test positive for Covid- 19 and you are on a rotation at UMass Memorial on any DMH Units (e.g., PTRC, 8 East) you must stay out for at least five days and may return when you meet the self -return criteria. If you are immunocompromised ***, you will need to remain out for 10 days.

 

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 have any additional medical questions or concerns, and/or 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 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