How to Isolate
- Students with any questions about isolation should email the COVID-19 Support Team COVID-19 Support Team.
- Students seeking support from Health Services may email healthservices@bowdoin.edu or call (207) 725-3770 during normal business hours.
- If you need support from Counseling and Wellness Services, email counseling@bowdoin.edu or call (207) 725-3145 during normal business hours
- You should immediately seek help if your symptoms become severe (e.g., you have chest pain or shortness of breath) or you are unable to take care of yourself (e.g., you are unable to eat or drink, or you experience excessive light-headedness). Call 911.
Locations for Completing Isolation
- In place—isolation in place is an option for students who test positive. We accept isolation in place regardless of whether students live on campus or off campus, with roommates or alone.
- Home—home is encouraged if students can get themselves there without exposing others (i.e., must be able to drive home in a self-driven private vehicle or driven by family members; no public transportation, taxis, rideshares, etc.).
Instructions for Students Isolating On Campus
It is imperative that students in isolation respect and follow all isolation instructions, guidelines, and expectations. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary consequences—including the possibility of disciplinary probation, suspension, and removal from College housing. To protect the health and safety of our community an immediate temporary suspension may be necessary pending a formal disciplinary hearing.
General guidelines and expectations
- Students are expected to isolate in their own room (with the doors closed). Students may not visit others, spend time in common areas, or have guests (i.e., you should not be socializing if you are isolating).
- Students isolating in place are expected to use common sense and mask when they need to access any shared indoor spaces (e.g., bathrooms).
- Residence halls with floor bathrooms will be provided with signage to flag bathrooms reserved for students who have tested positive for COVID-19.
- Students with suite bathrooms who test positive are encouraged to work out a system of shared use directly with their roommates.
- Positive students should keep housekeeping or facilities staff safe by avoiding contact.
- Students may go outside with a mask on to get fresh air or to pick up food.
- Students may not have contact with anyone else while outside unless they are walking with other students who have tested positive for COVID-19.
- Students may not go into any other buildings and may not pick up mail or packages for themselves.
Accessing meals
Students must wear KN95 masks when picking up isolation meals from Dining. Students are expected to pick up meals through all ten days of their isolation period (meaning, even though on day five you can attend classes and move around campus masked, you may not eat in the dining halls/around others until day eleven.)
Starting Monday, January 23, COVID–positive students can pick up all of their meals as follows.
Monday to Friday - Polar Express (Moulton Union):
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (special pick up limited to select student population, including COVID positive students)
- Lunch: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Dinner: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Weekends - Moulton Union:
Please ask the MU checker for a RED CARD and they will give you a card that you can give to the Chef. The Chef will then provide you with takeout containers. (Note: the checker has a list of all positive students and will only provide a Red Card to students on that list.)
Managing Your Symptoms
Severe COVID-19 Symptoms
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
Mild or Manageable COVID-19 Symptoms
Mild symptoms can typically be managed with rest, over-the-counter medications, and increased fluids—an appointment with a healthcare provider is not necessary.