HEAL Line, Isolation, and Exposure Information
Spring 2023 HEAL Line Hours
- Monday-Friday
- 9:00am - 4:00pm
- Saturday
- 12:00pm - 4:00pm
- Sunday
- 3:00pm-6:00pm
- Outside of HEAL Line Hours:
-
After-Hours Nurseline
301-314-9386
CONTACT
-
(301) 405-4325 (HEAL)
What is the HEAL line?
Updated:January 13, 2023
The HEAL Line is available for students or employees who have questions or concerns related to a recent positive COVID test or exposure.
To report a positive COVID-19 test or exposure, visit return.umd.edu.
After you submit your positive covid test result you will receive an email with instructions.
The HEAL Line is staffed by University Health Center employees.
How does it work?
For questions about a positive COVID-19 test or exposure, call (301) 405-HEAL (4325). You will first be connected to the virtual assistant that can answer many of your questions. If you need to speak with a HEAL line staff member to provide additional information, you will be prompted to leave a message. HEAL Line staff will respond to messages during HEAL line hours. Most times, we will communicate with you by sending a secure message through our patient portal, but occasionally we will need to speak with you by phone.
If you are having symptoms and need to speak to a nurse, you will be contacted by one of our team members during HEAL line hours. Outside of the HEAL line's designated hours, you can contact the After Hours Nurse Line at 301-314-9386.
Please call 911 if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
Where can I get tested on campus for COVID-19?
- Free COVID-19 self-test kits are available at the UHC pharmacy and registration desk on the first floor. Please show your University ID card to pick up your test kit. Students do not need an appointment to obtain a self-test kit.
- PCR testing may be done at the UHC for individuals who have a scheduled appointment with a provider, or who are traveling outside of the US and need a PCR test to enter their international destination. Please call the UHC at 301.314.8184 for more information.
- Rapid antigen testing is also available at the UHC for individuals with symptoms who have an appointment with a provider. Please call the UHC at 301.314.8184 for more information.
Isolation For People Who Test Positive
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 you will need to isolate for a minimum of 5 full days from the date your positive test was conducted. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home. All students living on-campus, including South Campus Commons, Courtyards, and university owned fraternity and sorority houses will need to isolate at their permanent home or another off-campus location if they test positive. Students living off-campus should isolate at their permanent home or may isolate in their off-campus residence, preferably if they have their own bedroom and bathroom.
You may end isolation on day 6, if you meet ALL of the following conditions:
- You have been fever free without fever-reducing medication (like Tylenol or Advil) for 24 hours AND
- Your symptoms have resolved or are steadily improving AND
- You test negative with a rapid antigen test on day 6 of isolation.
If you are able to meet all of the above conditions, you may return to campus. However, you must continue to do the following for an additional 5 full days (for a total of 10 days since the date of the positive test):
- Wear a well-fitted mask for any time you are around others inside your home or in public.
- Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.
- Avoid travel, and avoid being around others who are high risk.
- You should not eat in restaurants or dine with others.
- Students with a resident dining plan can request a Sick Meal to eat in their room.
If you do not meet all of the above conditions to end isolation on day 6, then you must continue to isolate for an additional 5 full days (for a total of 10 days of isolation). After 10 days of isolation, you do not need a test to return to campus, but you must be fever free for 24 hours and have improvement of symptoms in order to leave isolation. The only exception is as follows: if you have a negative test between day 6 and day 10, you may end isolation on the day of the negative test, but you must continue to wear a well-fitting mask while around others through day 10.
If you have an extreme circumstance that prevents you from going home and may need to isolate on-campus, there is a very limited number of spaces available. Please contact the HEAL line at 301.405.4325 (HEAL).
Taking Care of Yourself When You Have COVID-19
It is important that you take care of yourself when you have COVID-19. Please click here for important information about what to do when you are sick.
What to do after being exposed to someone with COVID-19
A close contact is someone who was less than 6 feet away from an individual with COVID-19, for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hours period (masked or unmasked). If you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, please read the following information.
Regardless of vaccine status, you no longer need to quarantine unless you are experiencing symptoms. However, you should take the following precautions:
- Wear a mask when around others and watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
- Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask, including travel and public transportation settings.
- Get tested at least 5 days after exposure.
- Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. If you develop symptoms, you also should be tested.
- If you develop any symptoms or test positive, you will need to isolate. Contact the HEAL line for additional instructions.
FAQs about Isolation, Exposure, Testing, and the HEAL Line
I am experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms and have contacted the HEAL line. What should I do in the meantime?
Please stay put! It is important to self-isolate whenever you are experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms to reduce the spread of the disease. Contact the UHC at 301.314.8184 and our team members will advise you as to your next steps.
I have been exposed to somebody who has COVID-19. What should I do?
A close contact is someone who was less than 6 feet away from an individual with COVID-19, for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hours period (masked or unmasked). If you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, please read the following information.
Regardless of vaccine status, you no longer need to quarantine unless you are experiencing symptoms. However, you should take the following precautions:
- Wear a mask when around others and watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
- Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask, including travel and public transportation settings.
- Get tested at least 5 days after exposure.
- Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. If you develop symptoms, you also should be tested.
- If you develop any symptoms or test positive, you will need to isolate. Contact the HEAL line for additional instructions.
I have tested positive for COVID-19. How long do I need to isolate?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 you will need to isolate for a minimum of 5 full days from the date your positive test was conducted. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home.
You may end isolation on day 6, if you meet ALL of the following conditions:
- You have been fever free without fever-reducing medication (like Tylenol or Advil) for 24 hours AND
- Your symptoms have resolved or are steadily improving AND
- You test negative with a rapid antigen test on day 6 of isolation.
If you are able to meet all of the above conditions, you may return to campus. However, you must continue to do the following for an additional 5 full days (for a total of 10 days since the date of the positive test):
- Wear a well-fitted mask for any time you are around others inside your home or in public.
- Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.
- Avoid travel, and avoid being around others who are high risk.
- You should not eat in restaurants or dine with others.
If you do not meet all of the above conditions to end isolation on day 6, then you must continue to isolate for an additional 5 full days (for a total of 10 days of isolation). After 10 days of isolation, you do not need a test to return to campus, but you must be fever free for 24 hours and have improvement of symptoms in order to leave isolation.
I tested positive for COVID-19 off campus or using a home test kit. How should I report this?
If you tested positive off campus or using a home test kit, please follow these steps to upload a copy of your positive test result. You will need to follow all isolation guidelines.
1. Visit return.umd.edu
2. Log on using your Directory ID and password
3. Click REPORT COVID TEST OR EXPOSURE
That's it! You will receive instructions once your submit your information.
I have tested positive for COVID-19. Where should I isolate?
- All students living on-campus, including South Campus Commons, Courtyards, and university owned fraternity and sorority houses will need to isolate at their permanent home or another off-campus location if they test positive.
- Students living off-campus should isolate at their permanent home or may isolate in their off-campus residence, preferably if they have their own bedroom and bathroom.
If you have an extreme circumstance that prevents you from going home and may need to isolate on-campus, there is a very limited number of spaces available. Please contact the HEAL line at 301.314.4325 (HEAL).
I have tested positive for COVID-19. How will my close contacts be notified?
- If you feel comfortable doing so, you should notify your close contacts of your positive test result. If you prefer to remain anonymous, the local health department contact tracers may be able to assist with notifying your close contacts of their exposure without revealing any of your personal information.
I was tested for COVID-19 at one of the on-campus testing sites. How do I access my test results?
If you were tested with a PCR test or Rapid Antigen test at the UHC, once your test result is complete, you will receive an email notification that your results are ready. The message will include instructions for accessing your results.
Here are these same instructions:
To see your results at myuhc.umd.edu:
1. Go to the UHC’s portal at myuhc.umd.edu.
2. Enter your University Directory ID and Password.
3. Complete multi-factor authentication with Duo.
4. Click the red button that says "View my lab results" and then click View Report.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must call the HEAL line (301-405-4325) as soon as possible to receive further instructions.
If you need assistance in accessing your MyUHC account, email the University Health Center at health@umd.edu. If you do not have access to email, you may contact the HEAL Line for assistance.
I was told that my Rapid Antigen COVID-19 test was positive, however my PCR COVID-19 test result is negative. What should I do?
Call the HEAL line for further guidance.
I have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months. Do I need a negative COVID-19 test result to return to campus?
- In accordance with CDC guidelines, individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not need to get tested again with a PCR test for 90 days from the positive test date as long as they do not develop new or unusual symptoms. The reason for this is these individuals may continue to test positive on a PCR test even though they are no longer considered to be contagious.
- If you have tested positive at an on-campus testing location, your name will automatically be added to UMD’s COVID-19 testing exemption list. The exemption will be in effect for 90 days from your positive test date.
- If you have tested positive at an off-campus testing location you will need to complete the following steps so you can be added to UMD’s COVID-19 testing exemption list:
- You may still take a rapid antigen test if needed. This test is less sensitive and should not longer be positive once you have completed isolation and your symptoms have improved.
If you tested positive off campus or using a home test kit, please follow these steps to upload a copy of your positive test result. You will need to follow all isolation guidelines.
1. Visit return.umd.edu
2. Log on using your Directory ID and password
3. Click REPORT COVID TEST OR EXPOSURE
That's it! You will receive instructions once your submit your information.
For general information regarding the campus’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic please refer to the KeepTerpsSafe Portal.