General COVID, Flu, and RSV Guidelines for the DGSD and YRT Community
The following guidance has been updated to reflect the CDC’s latest guidance on respiratory illness and Yale University’s updated approach. The guidance has been expanded to include flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). People testing positive for COVID, Flu, and RSV will still be contagious. By following the new guidance, you are less likely to pass the infection on to anyone else. Prevention strategies like staying up to date on recommended vaccines, covering your coughs and sneezes, washing and sanitizing your hands often, and making sure you clean your frequently touched surfaces can also help. You can also find this guidance on the safety website
If you have symptoms, you do not have to take a COVID Test. You should rest at home until your symptoms are better, and let your Program Chair or Supervisor know. When your symptoms are better you can resume your normal routine. If you do test positive for COVID you should return to your normal routine, remaining masked for at least 5 days after your symptoms start to improve, and try to stay socially distanced during that time. If you have tested positive for COVID but have no symptoms you can resume your daily routine immediately, following the guidance below.
Getting symptoms
If you have symptoms of a virus, fever, cough muscle aches etc. stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both the fever has subsided and your symptoms have improved. However:
If your symptoms are getting better, and stay better for 24 hours, AND you have not had a fever AND are not using fever reducing medication you are less likely to pass your infection to others and you can start getting back to your daily routine.
Returning to daily routine
Use the following added prevention strategies over the next five days after your symptoms start to improve:
Wear a well-fitting mask.
Practice good hygiene (hand washing and sanitizing).
Keep a distance from others until you are no longer symptomatic.
If a fever returns, stay home until the fever ends.
Masks
Please wear a mask if you have symptoms.
Masks will be available in DGSD buildings and rehearsal rooms.
If you have tested positive for COVID, when you return to your normal routine, you should wear your mask through day 5.
Testing
Rapid antigen tests are available free from the University at these locations until mid-September.
The safety office also has a limited supply of two tests per person. Please contact the safety office for more information.
Anyone who develops strong symptoms is recommended to do a rapid COVID test. Anyone over the age of 50 who develops symptoms is strongly recommended to do a rapid COVID test.
If above testing for COVID-19 is negative and significant symptoms persist, individuals should consult with their healthcare provider. They should remain at home until they no longer have a fever and are feeling better.
The decision to test is up to you.
Developing symptoms of a respiratory virus or testing positive for COVID
Let your Chair/faculty/supervisor know. Stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both:
Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
If your symptoms are getting better AND you have not had a fever AND are not using fever reducing medication you may return to normal activities.
Mask for 5 full days starting from the date you return.
Avoid large gatherings where you cannot keep your distance from people.
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Close Contacts
The CDC is no longer recommending any specific action for close contacts.
Vaccination
Annual vaccination against Influenza and COVID may be required as part of your status at Yale, and is always strongly encouraged.
General Info and Helpful Resources
HIPAA Reminder: A person’s medical information, including COVID test results, is confidential unless they give permission to share that information publicly.
Please visit https://campushealth.yale.edu/ for university guidance on masking, testing, and health guidelines. Please note that this is the Yale University site, and that on our productions we will be following additional DGSD/Yale Rep guidelines as well as AEA guidelines.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/updated-respiratory-virus-guidance.html for full CDC guidance.
Please note - these guidelines are subject to change pending updates to public health guidance.