COVID-19 Testing Information

I had close contact with someone with COVID-19. Now what do I do?
You need to quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with that person. 

You should be tested approximately 3-5 days after exposure. 

If you were tested during your quarantine period (due to an exposure) and the results are negative, you still need to complete your full 14-day quarantine before going back to work, school, or being around others.

Close contact includes:
You were less than 6 feet for greater than 10 minutes with or without a mask 
You provided care at home to a case 
You had direct physical contact with a case (hugged, touched, kissed) 
You shared eating/drinking utensil with a case 
You were exposed to sneezing, coughing or other respiratory droplets of a confirmed case 
 
During this 14-day period, take these steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing: 
Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for other COVID-19 symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose or congestion, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of sense of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.  
Stay home as much as possible and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school. 
Go out only if absolutely necessary.  See if someone can drop off essentials at your apartment.  If you need to go out, limit your travel to essential needs like going to the doctor and picking up food or medication.  Remember to always wear a mask or cloth face covering when you leave your room.  
Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares. 
Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters). 
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, often. 

If you develop fever, cough, have difficulty breathing or any other symptoms of COVID-19: 
Contact the Marquette University Medical Clinic at (414) 288-7184.  Tell them that you are in quarantine and your symptoms and see if you need medical care or testing.  Do not go to the clinic without contacting them first. 
Stay home unless directed by a medical provider. Avoid contact with others.  Continue to practice good hand hygiene and sanitize surfaces in your home. 
Get medical attention immediately if you experience any of these warning signs: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake a person, bluish lips or face. 

If you do not test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms of COVID-19 during your quarantine period, your quarantine period will 14 days after your last contact with the COVID-19 case. 
 
Marquette University Medical Clinic: 414-288-7184
After hours nurse hotline: 855-839-5121

I have been tested for COVID-19 and am waiting for my results. Now what do I do?
You will receive your results in 2-3 days on the MU patient portal. If you are positive you will also receive  a telephone call. Please answer any telephone calls from 414-288-7184. Make sure that your voicemailbox is set up and not full. If you have not received your results 4 days after testing please call 414-288-7184.

While you wait for your test results…
Protect yourself and others
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol if you do not have soap and water.
Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth if you have not washed your hands.
Do not spend time with others and stay at least 6 feet from others even if you are feeling well. If it is absolutely necessary to be around others, please wear a mask or cloth face covering 
Stay in your place of residence, preferably in a separate bedroom if possible. You can attend medical appointments, food service to get a grab and go meal and may get essential items while wearing a mask. 
Clean all “high‐touch” surfaces every day. These surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. 
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze. 

Take the following steps
If you are employed, let your employer know that you are being tested and will not be at work.
Notify your professors you will not be at in-person classes. 

Watch for symptoms
Keep track of current and new symptoms. 
Check your temperature two times a day.
If your symptoms get worse, contact your primary care provider or the medical clinic.
Even if you do not have symptoms, you might make others sick. This is why it is so important to stay home.

See a doctor right away if you have emergency warning signs* 
Struggling to breathe
Bluish lips or face
Constant chest pain or pressure
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded all the time
Acting confused
Difficult to wake up
Slurred speech (new or getting worse)
New seizure or seizures that won’t stop
*This list does not include all emergency warning signs. Call a doctor if you have other severe symptoms.
Call 911 for any medical emergencies.

Marquette University Medical Clinic: 414-288-7184
After hours nurse hotline: 855-839-5121

My COVID-19 test is negative. Now what do I do?

You most likely do not have COVID-19 at this time, but you could have been exposed to COVID-19 at some point and not enough time has passed for the test to pick it up. You may still test positive at a later date.

When does my quarantine or isolation period end?

• If you were tested during your quarantine period (due to an exposure) and the results are negative, you still need to complete your full 14-day quarantine before going back to work, school, or being around others.
• If you have a fever, continue to isolate until you are fever-free without fever-reducing medications for 24 hours.
• If you ONLY have loss of taste or smell, you should continue to isolate for 72 hours and then call MUMC at 414-288-7184 extension 1 to inquire about being re-tested. You should remain in isolation until you receive your new test results.
• If you have new or worsening symptoms, call MU Medical Clinic at 414-288-7184 extension 2

Continue to protect yourself and others 

• Wash your hand often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol if you don’t have soap and water.
• Do not spend time with people who are sick.
• Stay at least 6 ft away from others.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth if you haven’t washed your hands.
• Clean all “high touch” surfaces every day. These surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Wear a mask or cloth face covering when you are around others.

Contact the Marquette University Medical Clinic at 414-288-7184, press "2" with new or worsening symptoms or other questions or concerns. If you have questions after hours or on the weekend please call the nurse hotline at 855-839-5121.

I have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Now what do I do?

You need to self-isolate to prevent spreading the virus to others.

Stay home. 
Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and can recover at home. 
To prevent spreading COVID-19 to others, it is important to STAY AT HOME and distance yourself from others. You may be asked to isolate in a different room to avoid close contact with others. You should NOT visit public areas or use public transportation. 
If you must be around other people, wear a mask. Avoid sharing personal household items and wash them thoroughly after use.

Monitor your symptoms and stay in touch with your doctor. 
Contact your primary care provider or Marquette University Medical Clinic at 414-288-7184 with worsening symptoms and with questions or concerns. 
Get rest and stay hydrated. The medical clinic may discuss the use of certain medications to help with your symptoms, such as Tylenol. 
If you experience trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, confusion or difficulty staying awake, or bluish lips or face, please seek medical care immediately. 

Wash your hands often. 
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, going to the bathroom and before eating or preparing food. 
You may use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available; make sure to cover all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. 
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Clean and disinfect all “high-touch” surfaces every day. 
High-touch surfaces include phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.

When does isolation end?
If you have symptoms: At least 1 day (24 hours) has passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and there is improvement in respiratory symptoms (such as cough, shortness of breath) AND at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
If you do not have symptoms but a COVID-19 positive test: At least 10 days have passed since the date of the positive COVID-19 test assuming you do not develop symptoms. If you develop symptoms, then the symptom-based strategy above should be used.  

Marquette University Medical Clinic: 414-288-7184
After hours nurse hotline: 855-839-5121

If you have had close contact with an individual with Covid-19, you need to quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with that person.

Follow these student quarantine guidelines.

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, you need to self-isolate to prevent spreading the virus to others. 

Follow these general isolation guidelines.