August 24, 2023 

Dear Howard University Community,

Howard University continues to strongly encourage all community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including boosters. Although the COVID emergency has been declared over, COVID is still active.  

Currently, there is a nationwide increase in COVID cases, and it is important to continue to minimize the spread within the Howard community. The variant that is responsible for this current increase in cases is closely related to the Omicron strain and is not believed to cause any increase in severity of illness. 

Masks
Masking on campus is optional except where required, such as health facilities, clinical settings, and clinical training sites.  

Testing
The Student Health Center will be available for testing symptomatic students. While the COVID center in Room 3600 of the Hospital Towers building will be available for testing symptomatic staff and faculty. 

COVID-19 vaccines are available by appointment at the Howard University Hospital Towers Building, Room 3600. 

Guidelines regarding COVID symptoms

• People who are infected but asymptomatic or people with mild COVID-19 should isolate through at least day 5 (day 0 is the day symptoms appeared or the date the specimen was collected for the positive test for people who are asymptomatic). They should wear a mask through day 10. A test-based strategy may be used to remove a mask sooner. 

• People with moderate or severe COVID-19 should isolate through at least day 10. Those with severe COVID-19 symptoms may remain infectious beyond 10 days and may need to extend isolation for up to 20 days. 

• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should isolate through at least day 20. The use of serial testing and consultation with an infectious disease specialist is recommended in these patients prior to ending isolation. 

A team of medical and public health experts at the University will continue to monitor coronavirus developments both in the US, and internationally. We will keep you updated as events warrant. We will continue to be proactive and careful, prioritizing the safety and health of our faculty, students and staff. Thank you. 

A list of frequently asked questions is available at this link to provide additional information about COVID and recommended protocols for the prevention and treatment of the virus. A team of medical and public health experts at the University will continue to monitor coronavirus developments both in the US, and internationally. We will keep you updated as events warrant. We will continue to be proactive and careful, prioritizing the safety and health of our faculty, students and staff. Thank you. 

Excellence in Truth and Service, 
 

Anthony K. Wutoh, Ph.D., R.Ph. 
Provost and Chief Academic Officer 

Hugh E. Mighty, MD, MBA, FACOG 
Senior Vice President for Health Affairs