Symptoms & Reporting
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported — ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure to COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
This list does not include all possible symptoms. See the CDC website for more information. Even if you do not think you have COVID-19, please do not come to campus if you are ill.
Student Guidance for Reporting Symptoms
STEP 1: CONTACT A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF YOU:
- Suspect you have COVID-19
- Have had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19
- Test positive for COVID-19
University Health Services (UHS) is the healthcare provider for most students. Students should call UHS immediately at 412-268-2157 to receive instructions to protect yourself and others. Please call before visiting UHS.
If you experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, call campus police at 412-268-2323 immediately to alert them to your medical emergency.
After hours non-emergency medical advice can be accessed by TeamHealth at 1-844-881-7176.
STEP 2: Report Your Circumstances to CMU
- You must report your diagnosis, presence of COVID-19 symptoms or close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual to Community Health and Well-Being.
- Information regarding your circumstances will only be shared as necessary for the university to safeguard the community and to comply with any applicable laws or government orders.
- You will not be able to return to on-campus classes, work or activities until having received clearance by a healthcare provider.
- Contact tracing will require you to provide as much information as possible about close contacts you have had in the days preceding symptoms or a positive test result and those contacts will be notified. Your name will not be disclosed through this process.
STEP 3: Get Support
Students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms who may require some short-term academic accommodations related to their illness should contact Disability Resources. If you have received a positive COVID-19 test result and have documentation of that result, please attach it to the email when you contact Disability Resources.
Students who live on campus will be provided with housing support to isolate during their recovery. Clinical care coordination and emotional support will be offered to all students in these circumstances, whether on or off campus.
Employee Guidance for Reporting Symptoms (Faculty, Staff, Researchers)
STEP 1: CONTACT A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF YOU:
- Suspect you have COVID-19
- Have had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19
- Test positive for COVID-19
Please reach out to your primary healthcare provider for guidance in treating symptoms and keeping others around you safe. If you need assistance finding a primary healthcare provider, call the number for your insurance carrier on your insurance card for assistance. If you experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately to alert them to your medical emergency.
STEP 2: REPORT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES TO CMU
- You must report your diagnosis, the presence of COVID-19 symptoms or close contact with a COVID positive individual to Community Health and Well-Being.
- Information regarding your circumstances will only be shared as necessary for the university to safeguard the community and to comply with any applicable laws or government orders.
- You will not be able to return to on-site work until having received clearance by a healthcare provider and provided documentation of that to Human Resources.
- Contact tracing will require you to provide as much information as possible about close contacts you have had in the days preceding symptoms or a positive test result and those contacts will be notified. Your name will not be disclosed through this process.
STEP 3: Get Support
Human Resources has provided guidance about supports and available options (pdf).Additional Information
if a positive COVID-19 diagnosis is reported on campus
Upon confirmation of a positive diagnosis or a presumptive positive diagnosis, Community Health and Well-Being will initiate and/or support the Allegheny County Health Department with contact tracing.
if a student or employee has symptoms
What should you do, as a manager, faculty member or Student Affairs point person?
If someone comes to you to report symptoms or a positive Covid-19 test result, follow these steps.
What happens in A workspace/building if a positive COVID-19 diagnosis is reported
Facilities Management and Campus Services (FMCS), along with Community Health and Well-Being (CHWB), will assess the need for a closure of the impacted spaces.
The space(s) will be deep cleaned by FMCS or authorized third-party remediation service, and CHWB will assess if temperature screenings are required.
If temperature screenings are required, anyone who has a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be sent home. They will not be able to return to on-site work until they have received clearance by a healthcare provider and provided documentation of that to Human Resources.