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Health/Safety

In support of Rutgers’ commitment to health and safety for all members of its community, the University has updated its Immunization Requirements for Students to include the COVID-19 vaccine. (Read Policy 10.3.14 COVID-19 Immunization Record Requirement for Students). This health policy update means that, with limited exceptions, all students must be fully vaccinated, receive a booster shot when eligible, and upload record of these vaccinations to the Rutgers Student Immunization Portal. In addition, Rutgers has required all employees, both faculty and staff, to upload proof of vaccination by January 4, 2022 and proof of booster shot as soon as eligible. The university requirements allow for medical and religious exemptions. All members of the Rutgers community are encouraged to get vaccinated.

Symptoms

COVID-19 presents with a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath and/or difficulty breathing
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

This list is not all inclusive. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. See the CDC website for details.

Symptoms of COVID-19

 

Behavioral Health and Wellness

This is a difficult time that presents new stressors and burdens on our community members. Please remember that support and guidance services are always available to our students in need through CAPS or UBHC.

For individuals in need of immediate COVID-related support, GSAPP lists resources that offer mental health services.

Rutgers4U is a confidential support line to offer emotional and therapeutic support during and following the COVID-19 pandemic to Rutgers staff, faculty, and their families. The support line will be operational Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–4 p.m., with additional hours to be added. Access the support line by calling 1-855-652-6819.

 

COVID-19 Testing Clinics

Testing is available on all campuses to any member of the Rutgers community authorized to receive COVID-19 testing. Please make an appointment through the Return to Rutgers page: go.rutgers.edu/COVID-19-Testing.

 

Rutgers Students

If a student is on campus with symptoms, they should contact student health services. A student who tests positive for COVID-19 and is physically on campus or in Rutgers facilities should contact student health services directly to report the case and seek guidance.

To make an appointment with Rutgers Student Health:

 

Rutgers Faculty and Staff

Employees who test positive for COVID-19 and are physically on campus or in Rutgers facilities should contact Occupational Health directly to report the case and seek guidance.

Occupational Health offices by location:

  • Rutgers–New Brunswick, Rutgers–Newark, and Rutgers–Camden: 848-932-8254
  • Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) Newark: 973-972-2900
  • RBHS New Brunswick/Piscataway and University Correctional Health Care: 848-445-0123 ext. 2
  • Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Faculty and Staff: 732-235-6559


Quarantining

In accordance with the revised CDC Guidelines, employees diagnosed with COVID-19 should isolate for five days. Asymptomatic employees or employees whose symptoms are resolving, may return to work, fully masked, following the isolation period.

The CDC recommends that employees with a suspected close contact or exposure who are more than six months from their second mRNA dose (or more than two months after the J&J vaccine) and are not yet boosted should quarantine for five days followed by continued face covering. Individuals who have received their booster shots do not need to quarantine following an exposure.

Students in on-campus housing who test positive or have a confirmed exposure are strongly encouraged and—if the university deems it necessary—may be required to quarantine or isolate at home during a quarantine period.

These guidelines are subject to change based on CDC and NJDOH guidelines.

 

Report concerns

University community members can submit violations of university safety guidelines by completing the COVID Observation Reporting form. Please note that submissions are not monitored in real-time and are intended for non-emergency concerns only.