COVID-19
COVID-19 has evolved, and we want to provide the best guidance for our students, staff, and faculty to maintain safety and provide an optimal learning and working environment. We have referred to the CDC for guidance; please see our policies and recommendations below.
Be aware that clinical sites off campus, as well as clinical spaces in the Health Sciences Center on campus, may have stronger policies and requirements appropriate to offering health services. It is the individual student or employee’s obligation to comply with those requirements if they are necessary to achieve educational or personal health outcomes.
Vaccination/Booster Policy
At this time, and subject to change due to public health alerts in the future, there is no COVID-19 virus vaccination requirement for UB students or employees. However, keeping updated on vaccination and boosters is very strongly recommended for personal and public health protection, per CDC guidelines.
Testing and Isolation Policies
- Random and regular testing is not required nor offered by the University at this time.
- For occurrences of symptoms of the virus, appointments for students through UB Health Services are strongly encouraged for COVID Rapid testing, but walk-ins are accepted. Students or employees may also acquire tests through local health clinics or pharmacies.
- Students or employees who test positive should isolate for at least 5 days, per CDC guidelines.
- Students who live in residence halls should go home for the duration of isolation if distance conditions are met (see below).
- Students in residence halls who are unable to go home for isolation should contact the Dean of Students Office.
- It is the responsibility of any student who must isolate to make arrangements for completion of coursework in consultation with instructors and the Dean of Students Office.
- It is the responsibility of any employee who must isolate to make arrangements for work hiatus or completion in consultation with supervisors and the Human Resources Office.
Close Contact (“Exposure”) Policies
- Anyone who is alerted to close contact (“exposure”) with the COVID virus should exercise caution by wearing a mask around others for 10 days and testing after 5 days, per CDC guidelines.
- Under current CDC guidelines, there is no recommendation to quarantine if exposed.
Additional information for students
Vaccinated or unvaccinated students who test positive for COVID must isolate at home if their residence is within 60 miles or less from the University. Students whose residence is outside of the 60 mile radius are strongly encouraged to go home to isolate, if they have means to do so.
Rapid testing at the Student Health Center will be provided if a student presents with any signs/symptoms of COVID. However, if the safety of the Health Center staff is at risk of becoming compromised due to an increased influx of symptomatic COVID positive students, we will stop performing rapid tests and refer students to local urgent cares for testing.
The Student Health Center will provide testing Monday‑Friday 8:30 a.m.‑4:45 p.m. (again appointments are strongly encouraged). If you test positive for COVID after business hours or on weekends, please inform your residence hall RA or director, and send e-mail to , so you can receive instructions on what steps to take.
We expect anyone infected or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 to respect the health of others by refraining from attending in-person classes, coming into close contact with others.
Student Health Services
60 Lafayette Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
203-576-4712
If you test POSITIVE for COVID-19 or have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status | If you were exposed to (less than 6ft for more than 15 minutes), regardless of vaccination status |
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* Precautions: Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Monitor for symptoms, do not travel (if warranted, take precautions), avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID- 19.
COVID-19: Campus health information and advice
Although we are not mandating masks on our campus, you are free to wear a mask whenever you choose. This is a higher education facility, we expect our students to be mindful, while respecting their fellow peers while we navigate this pandemic together. Our goal is to achieve academic success, while maintaining a safe college campus. If you are at an increased risk for severe illness you are encouraged to wear a mask at any time.
Best protection from Coronavirus?
- Handwashing. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. CDC says handwashing is the best way to get rid of germs, stay healthy, and prevent the spread of germs to others. Handwashing can guard against the cold and flu, and it can also protect you from foodborne illnesses.
- Hand sanitizer. While washing your hands properly is still very important, hand sanitizer allows you to keep your hands clean on-the-go in a variety of environments. As it turns out, alcohol-based hand sanitizer effectively kills off the influenza virus and cold bacteria on contact.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing to help prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
You are not required to get vaccinated, however we strongly encourage, as do federal health authorities that all members of the University community be up-to-date on recommended vaccine and booster shots, according to the Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
Many local pharmacies offer COVID vaccines and boosters free of charge with insurance. We have local pharmacies that are located 1-3 miles away making it very convenient to set up and go to an appointment. You can make appointments online or call. Below are a few local pharmacies that offer the vaccines:
Walgreens
1000 Park Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06604
203-696-0127
CVS
2610 E Main St
Bridgeport, CT 06610
203-368-0944
Rite Aid
1060 E Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06608
203-382-0009
If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19, please call Student Health Services at 203‑576‑4712. We are open Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masks ARE required to be worn at the Student Health Center if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID.