COVID-19 symptoms often feel like ordinary cold symptoms. They include, but are not limited to:  

• Fever or chills    
• Cough  
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
• Fatigue 
• Muscle or body aches 
• Headache  
• New loss of taste or smell  
• Sore throat 
• Congestion or runny nose  
• Nausea or vomiting  
• Diarrhea 

1. Stay home and away from others until your symptoms begin to improve. If you must be around others while you are sick or if you share a room in a residence hall, you and anyone else in the room should wear a tightly fitted KN-95 mask. If you need to pick up food while ill, wear a mask and take food to go. 
2. Remain at home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication and your symptoms improve.  
3. At that point, you can return to normal activities while wearing a tightly fitted KN-95 mask for a minimum of five days while taking precautionary measures to prevent the spread of infection to others (i.e., improving ventilation, distancing, and frequent handwashing).  
4. Testing is strongly suggested, especially if you are immunocompromised or have an underlying medical condition. PCR testing for early detection is available at local pharmacies and Urgent Care facilities. Antigen tests (rapid tests) are also available for free through the United States Post Office or for purchase at local pharmacies. If the first rapid test is negative, repeat the test 48 hours later to confirm the result. 
5. Students must inform their professor immediately if they need to miss class and should plan to make up for missing course material.  
6. Staff and faculty should alert their supervisor. Working remotely is permissible with manager approval. If you cannot work, stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms improve. Code payroll “OTH” if you miss work due to COVID-19.  

Students should contact the RPI Student Health Center at 518-276-6287 and staff/faculty should contact their medical provider. Remember to wear a tightly fitted KN-95 mask to your appointment.

Call 911 immediately if you develop:  

• Severe difficulty breathing or shortness of breath  
• Persistent pain or pressure in your chest  
• New confusion or inability to arouse or stay awake 
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone 

• Cover coughs and sneezes 
• Wash hands after eating and/or touching your face  
• Wash common touch areas frequently   
• Consider wearing a mask especially if you are immune compromised, in poorly ventilated places with large crowds, or in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 

All Rensselaer community members are encouraged to receive the most current COVID-19 vaccination, available Fall 2024. For up-to-date information on the vaccine, visit the CDC website.