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COVID-19 Center

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Current Status

last updated: 03/26/2024

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently changed its COVID-19 isolation guidance, effectively dropping the recommendation to isolate for five (5) days. It should be noted that the CDC has now lumped the guidance for COVID with other respiratory virus recommendations (influenza and RSV).

Given this new guidance, JWU community members no longer need to isolate for five (5) days after testing positive for COVID-19; however, all individuals should stay home and away from others when they have respiratory virus symptoms that include: fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose and headache. Following these recommendations, students, faculty and staff can return to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

  • symptoms are getting better overall, and
  • you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

Upon return to normal activities, individuals should take added precautions of wearing a mask and practice frequent handwashing. 

You can find more details and answers to common questions here, along with more CDC respiratory virus recommendations.

CDC COVID Data Tracker

CDC COVID Data Tracker

This site provides an integrated, county view of key data for monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Universitywide FAQs

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What is the university's protocol?

The university is following guidance from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is recommending but not requiring COVID-19 shots for students, faculty, & staff. The university continues to follow state guidance in terms of mask-wearing. Masking is not required on campus but is a great way to reduce the transmission of all viruses; masks will still be required in Health Services offices if you have any respiratory or GI complaint, and/or at the discretion of the provider or nurse.

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What is the guidance for wearing a mask while on campus?

Mask-wearing, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status, is optional on our campus and no longer required inside or outside buildings. Please be advised that anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask (a KN95 mask is recommended) on campus is supported in doing so. We also encourage all students, faculty and staff to continue carrying masks on them. Please note: the university still requires masks in Health Services offices if you have any respiratory or GI complaint, and/or at the discretion of the provider or nurse.

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What is the university's requirement on COVID-19 booster shots?

At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that vaccines are still the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. Boosters are still an important part of this process and are strongly encouraged as you are eligible for them.

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My initial vaccine series was not Pfizer, Moderna or J&J (one dose) - instead, it was another vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization. Which booster shot am I eligible for?

According to the CDC, people who completed all of the recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine listed for emergency use by WHO but not approved or authorized by FDA, or people who completed a heterologous (mix and match) series composed of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine listed for emergency use by WHO, at least one of which is a non-FDA-approved or authorized vaccine, are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after completion of the series.

Regarding a booster shot, the CDC says people 18 years or older (including moderately or severely immunocompromised people who received an additional primary dose) should receive a single booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completing their primary series of one of these vaccines. 

For more, head to cdc.gov/vaccines.