What To Do If Your Roommate is Sick

Updated January 2025

Follow these steps to help protect yourself if your roommate or someone you live with is is sick with either a respiratory or gastroenteric illness:

1. Ensure you have had your seasonal flu shot and all the COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses for which you are eligible. If you still require a booster, please book an appointment with Student Health Services at 519-824-4120 ext. 52131 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4:30pm) or get your vaccine from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health 
2. Spend time away from your residence room/housing unit while your roommate is isolating.
3. Wear a well-fitted mask in shared spaces with your roommate and maintain physical distancing as much as possible. and when you are out in public (close contacts must wear a mask for 10 days after their last unprotected contact with a case). Your roommate should also wear a mask when you are together in a shared space.
4. Maintain physical distancing. If your room/unit does not allow for six feet of distancing, maintain the maximum distance possible.
5. Open windows when weather permits.
6. Run bathroom and/or kitchen exhaust fans.
7. Clean hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol).
8. Avoid touching your face, nose, mouth, and eyes.
9. Do not share items like towels, cups, dishes, or phones.
10. Frequently disinfect commonly touched surfaces e.g., light switches, doorknobs and sink and toilet handles. Find out which products are on Health Canada's list of disinfectants with evidence against COVID-19.
11. Monitor for symptoms of respiratory and gastroenteric illnesses and if symptoms develop:
    1. Isolate—leave isolation only when your respiratory symptoms have improved for 24 hours and after your gastroenteric symptoms have improved for 48 hours.
    2. Notify your RA if you live in residence
    3. Complete a Self-Declaration Form (SDF) (only if required for missed academic work)
    4. Follow the isolation and masking requirements for individuals with a respiratory illness including COVID-19

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