Student Health COVID-19 Updates

Student Health Services will utilize this page to share any COVID-19-related changes to services.

COVID-19 Information for Students

Last Updated: April 28, 2023

If You Are Ill

  1.  Do not attend class, work, or other social gatherings.
  2. If you have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, get tested. At-home COVID test kits are available in most pharmacies. After May 11, 2023 many health insurance providers will no longer reimburse the cost of these over-the-counter tests. You may also want to contact your healthcare provider or UB Student Health Services (716-829-3316) for an appointment to get tested.
    • Free test kits are also available at sites on campus including 228 Student Union, 102 Harriman Hall and at Student Health Services. 
  3. Reporting
    • You can report your positive COVID-19 home test result to Erie County Department of Health. 
    • Inform your professors: directly contact your instructors to keep up with coursework and class commitments while you’re unable to attend in-person classes.
    • Notify close contacts that they may have been exposed, and they should:
      • test at least 5 full days after their exposure: 
        • Even if they test negative for COVID-19 using an at-home antigen test, they should repeat* the test again 48 hours after the first test. 
        • If both tests are negative, then they should repeat testing after another 48 hours for a total of three tests.   
        • *(PCR testing can be used as an alternative to repeat testing.)
      • wear a tightly fitted mask whenever they are around others for the next 10 days 
      • monitor themselves for symptoms; and isolate when/if symptoms develop at any time or they test positive
  4. If you are ill and tested positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for treatment to help prevent severe disease. Please call your healthcare provider or UB Student Health Services to find the treatment that is best for you.
  5. If you test positive, your isolation location options include: 
    • Your current residence — meaning your on-campus room, suite or apartment, or your off-campus apartment, depending on whether you are an on- or off-campus student 
    • Your permanent residence, or the off-campus home of a family member or friend 
    • Another off-campus location, such as a hotel 
      • If traveling to an off-campus location for isolation, use private transportation.
      • Residential Students: no matter where you choose to isolate, if you live on-campus, report your positive test result to the Campus Living Isolation Coordinator by emailing: erichami@buffalo.edu. 
  6. Monitor your symptoms: Most COVID-19 symptoms can be self-managed using non-prescription cough/cold/fever medication. If your symptoms are severe or worrying, call UB Student Health Services for consultation: 716-829-3316 (24/7). Severe symptoms include any of the following: fever >102F, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe headache, severe sore throat, and vomiting. 
  7. If asymptomatic or if symptoms are improving, at the end of 5 days isolation ends. 
    • Continue to wear a high-quality mask around others for an additional 5 days. (EXCEPTION: People who are immunocompromised, and those who are unable to wear a mask for 5 days after isolation, should self-isolate for 10 days instead of 5). 
    • If you need documentation that your isolation period has ended, use the Affirmation of Isolation form available through the Erie County Department of Health.

Service Updates/Reminders

Last Updated: April 28, 2023

  • Do not come to Student Health Services without an appointment
  • Attend scheduled appointments alone, wearing your face covering
  • Arrive at your scheduled time to avoid contact with other patients
  • Set up voicemail on your smartphone. Make sure your voicemail box is not full, and check your messages throughout the day. 
  • Uploadmail or fax forms to our office 
    • Upload is the best option for submitting forms 
  • Ensure your required immunizations are up to date (including COVID for health-related majors)

Authoritative Resources

University at Buffalo
4350 Maple Rd
Amherst, NY 14226

Phone: (716) 829-3316; Fax: (716) 829-2564