Updated as of 09.03.24

Beaver’s health guidelines for 2024-2025 are aligned with the latest guidelines from the CDC, the Massachusetts Department of Health, DESE, and discussions with our consulting physician.

For the health and safety of the BVR community, it is important to stay home even if you don’t know what virus is making you sick.

GUIDELINES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS AFTER SHORT-TERM ILLNESS (ONE WEEK OR LESS)

Respiratory Virus (flu, COVID, common cold, etc)

  • Fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
  • Symptoms significantly reduce, or resolve
  • It is recommended to wear a mask until symptoms completely resolve
  • If you have new symptoms of a respiratory virus, such as a fever, sore throat, cough, or a runny or stuffy nose, you should stay home and stay away from others in your household. Click here for more information and recommendations.

Stomach virus

  • No active vomiting or diarrhea episodes for 24 hours, unless episodes are known to be caused by a non-communicable condition

Fever

  • When fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Rash

  • A physician has determined the illness is not a communicable disease.
  • Rash completely resolved

Communicable Illness needing antibiotics (strep, mono, pink eye, etc.)

  • After being on prescribed antibiotics for 24 hours
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SYMPTOMS OF A RESPIRATORY VIRUS (ISOLATION)

If you have new symptoms of a respiratory virus, such as a fever, sore throat, cough, or a runny or stuffy nose, you should stay home and stay away from others in your household.

While you are at home

  • Get tested for COVID-19 and flu. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting treatment if you test positive
  • Stay away from others in your household. Wear a mask when you have to be around them
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands
  • Clean high-touch surfaces (countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often
  • You should stay home even if you don’t know what virus is making you sick

When you start to feel better
You may begin to resume normal activities with precautions if:

  1. You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines;
  2. AND your other symptoms are improving

You may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better.

For at least the first 5 days after you resume normal activities, take these extra precautions:

  • Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease

If your symptoms get worse again:
If your fever comes back or any other symptoms start to get worse, you should go back home until you are better again. Wait to resume normal activities until you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines AND your symptoms are improving again. When you resume normal activities, take the recommended additional precautions during the next 5 days:

  • Avoid crowded indoor spaces
  • Wear a mask indoors around other people
  • Wash your hands often
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes

If you have tested positive for a respiratory virus but do not have any symptoms you can still spread the virus. Take additional precautions to protect others from getting sick.
For at least the first 5 days, take these extra precautions:

  • Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease.

Although not required, choosing to stay home for about 72 hours may help reduce the chances that you spread the virus to others. While you stay home you should:

  • Stay away from others in your household. Wear a mask when you have to be around them.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean high-touch surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.