Student COVID-19 Information and Resources

Given expanded availability to off-campus PCR testing and at-home test kits, the Student Health Center at ISMMS only offers diagnostic COVID-19 testing for students experiencing symptoms.

Diagnostic Testing Options for ISMMS students who are symptomatic include:

• Obtain a PCR test at the Student Health Center
  • Schedule an appointment via MyChart
  • After-Hours: Weekdays (5:00 pm-7:30 pm) and Weekends (9:00 am-4:00 pm):
    Schedule an appointment at Mount Sinai Express Care at The Mount Sinai Hospital

• Use an FDA-authorized at-home test
  If your test is negative, either isolate and repeat the test in 24 hours or obtain a more definitive PCR test

• Obtain a PCR test at an outside location
  • NYC Health and Hospitals COVID-19 Testing Sites
  • NY State: Find a Test Site Near You
  • NYC Health: COVID-19 Rapid Testing

Asymptomatic testing options for ISMMS students (e.g. following close contact exposure, pre-/ post-travel, supplemental after other high risk activity) include:

• Employee Health Services asymptomatic testing appointments
• FDA-authorized at-home tests
• Obtain a PCR test at an outside location
  • NYC Health and Hospitals COVID-19 Testing Sites
  • NY State: Find a Test Site Near You
  • NYC Health: COVID-19 Rapid Testing

Students having difficulty obtaining a test should contact Student Health by emailing studenthealth@mssm.edu or calling 212-241-6023 for assistance.

The Student Health Center partners with Mount Sinai Express Care at The Mount Sinai Hospital to provide after-hours health services to students. Use the Schedule After Hours COVID-19 Evaluation scheduling link to make an appointment at Mount Sinai Express Care at The Mount Sinai Hospital in the following circumstances:

• ISMMS students with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 infection who need to be evaluated after-hours on weekdays (5:00 pm-7:30 pm), or on weekends (9:00 am-4:00 pm)
• ISMMS students who have been referred to Mount Sinai Express Care at The Mount Sinai Hospital by a Student Health provider for a non-COVID-19 related evaluation

Please bring your student ID and insurance card with you to the visit. Your insurance will only be billed if you require a higher level of care (e.g. transfer to the Emergency Department) or for non-COVID-19 related evaluations for which you have not been referred.

1. Isolate
After testing positive for COVID-19, please follow CDC guidance on isolation practices.

• DAY 0: the day you tested positive or symptoms started (whichever came first)
• DAY 1: the day after your positive test (or symptom onset)

Everyone who tests positive – whether by antigen or PCR test and regardless of symptoms, prior infection, or vaccination/booster status – must isolate for at least 5 days. A longer isolation is required for individuals who:

• Have persistent symptoms and/or fevers at day 5
• Are unable to wear a well-fitting mask
• Are moderately to severely immunocompromised

If you meet these criteria, please discuss an individualized plan of care with Student Health.

You do not need a negative test to return to work or class.

2. Minimize Exposures & Contacts

• Keep to your home or room (if you reside in a shared apartment) as much as possible: go out when others are less likely to be around and avoid highly trafficked areas.
• Mask up when passing through common spaces (e.g. to go to the bathroom or get food from the kitchen) and try to avoid being in shared spaces when others are around.
• Maintain distance (at least 6 feet) from other people.
• Arrange for foods, medications, and other needed items to be delivered directly to your apartment. If possible, have a friend or family member pick up items delivered to the lobby.
• If you share a bathroom, disinfect high touch surfaces after use (handles, light switches, counter tops, etc). Keep some disinfectant wipes on hand for ease of use should you need them!
• Do not take public transportation.

Definition of Close Contact
The CDC defines a (non-clinical) close contact* as someone who has been within 6 feet of someone with a confirmed positive COVID-19 test for more than 10 consecutive minutes (or 15 cumulative minutes over 24 hours) within 48 hours of their symptom onset or positive test. 

*For definition of health care associated high risk exposure, click here.

Close Contact Notification
If you have been in close contact with anyone within 48 hours of your symptom onset or positive test (whichever came first), notify them immediately, so they can take appropriate action.

Guidance for Close Contacts
If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, follow CDC Guidance.

If asymptomatic and up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination:

• You do not need to quarantine.
  • You can attend class, lab, and participate in clinical work.
• Mask up in indoor public spaces for 10 days.
• Get a COVID-19 PCR test at day 5 after last exposure
  • You can schedule a test at Employee Health Services (asymptomatic only).
  • Continue to mask through day 10 even if your test returns negative.
• Monitor symptoms for 10 days after exposure
  • If you become symptomatic, immediately self-isolate and get tested (see testing above)

If symptomatic:

• Immediately self-isolate and get tested (see testing options)

If recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days (confirmed via testing):

• You do not need to quarantine or get tested.
• Wear a mask in indoor public spaces for 10 days after exposure.
• If you develop symptoms, immediately self-isolate and get tested.