The HEAL Line and COVID-19 Information

We recommend that you wear a mask and take a COVID-19 test. It is important to self-isolate whenever you are experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms to reduce the spread of the disease.  If you have questions, contact the UHC at 301.314.8184 and our team members will advise you as to your next steps.

• COVID testing (rapid antigen and PCR) 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.
• Our organization will no longer be distributing free COVID-19 home antigen tests. This change follows the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to end the government-funded COVID-19 test program. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors can obtain tests from local pharmacies, healthcare providers, or retail stores. The health center pharmacy also offers a two-pack COVID-19 home antigen test for $7.00.

Those who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) and return to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without the use of fever-reducing medications. 

When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. This is especially important to protect people with factors that increase their risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses.

For on-campus students and off-campus students who test positive for COVID-19, we recommend the following:

• Stay in your room except to use the bathroom, collect your meals, and visit a pharmacy or doctor’s office (activities essential for daily living).
• Do not go to class or participate in any campus activities until you are feeling better.
• Wear a mask at all times when around others, and do not go anywhere if you are unable to wear a mask.
• We encourage you to communicate with your roommate(s) to let them know you have tested positive.
• For students who have a Dining Plan, use the Department of Dining Services - Sick Meals request and pick-up program. Wear your mask while collecting your meals.
• Take steps for cleaner air. This can mean bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. Virus particles do not build up in the air outdoors as much as they do indoors.
• Clean and disinfect shared surfaces frequently.
• We encourage you to communicate with your instructors and/or your supervisor to notify them if you will be absent from class or work.   

Please consult with your primary medical provider AND the University Health Center’s HEAL Line 301.405.4325 (HEAL) for additional guidance if either you or your roommate(s) test positive for COVID-19.

We know you may not feel well and that you might need guidance for managing your symptoms. Feel free to call the University Health Center’s (UHC) HEAL line at 301.314.4325 (HEAL). If you feel your symptoms need to be evaluated by a medical provider, call your personal medical provider or schedule an appointment at the UHC by calling 301.314.8184.  If you experience any worsening or severe symptoms, including any trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately.

If you have questions regarding any of this information, please contact the University Health Center HEAL Line at 301.405.4325 (HEAL).  Thank you for doing your part to keep our Maryland community healthy.