Covid-19 and Respiratory Season Processes

  • Publication date August 27, 2024
  • Categories: News, Notes

To USC Campus Community (Students, Faculty, University Staff of UPC and HSC)

August 23, 2024

A Campus Health message from:

Sarah Van Orman, MD MMM FACHA, Chief Campus Health Officer and Vice President of Campus Health

Deona Willes, MPH CLS, Executive Director of Environmental Health & Safety

Quick links:

We hope you have had a restful summer, with time to reconnect with the activities and people you enjoy.

As we prepare to meet in classes, residence halls, practices, and social get togethers, please be reminded of these hygiene measures that can keep our campuses safer from illness, as our region experiences a summer surge of COVID-19.

Hygiene practices

  • Wash your hands for 20 seconds or longer with soap and water, especially before and after eating, and after handling waste. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available to you.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm to prevent potentially transmitting illness to others.
  • Consider wearing a high-quality mask (surgical or N95), especially when traveling or attending crowded events. 

Symptoms / Testing

If you are feeling ill with COVID-19, influenza, or other respiratory illness symptoms, stay home and away from others. 

Test for COVID-19 if you have symptoms OR if you have had a recent exposure. 

  • Antigen tests are available at no cost to students and employees—at the Engemann and Eric Cohen health centers; at the CSC desks of USC Housing; and at the USC Bookstores.
  • Repeat testing (confirm negative results): If you are negative in your first test, it does not rule out an infection. Always test again. A period of 48 hours between tests is recommended. 
  • Testing is also recommended after travel and before visiting someone who has risk factors for complications from COVID-19 (due to age, pregnancy, immune-compromised condition, etc.) 

Positive Test (WITH Symptoms)

If you test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms, and have been on the campuses 48 hours prior to onset of symptoms, complete the contract tracing form in MySHR, and follow the instructions below:

  • Stay home and isolate in place until you have been free from fever for 24 hours (without using fever-reducing medication) AND your symptoms are improving. For most people, this is 3-5 days.
  • For students, this includes staying out of classes/practices. Contact your instructors to let them know you will miss in-person classes due to illness (you do not have to disclose your personal health information). Arrange to access missed course content.
  • For employees, this means contacting your supervisor. Arrange to stay out of the workplace. 
  • Wear a well-fitting mask if you must be around others. Avoid contact with high-risk individuals for 10 days after you startedfeeling sick.

Positive Test (WITHOUT Symptoms)

If you test positive for COVID-19 and DO NOT have symptoms

  • You do not have to stay home but should monitor yourself for symptoms. If you start feeling sick, follow the instructions above.

o    Wear a well-fitting mask when around others for 10 days after diagnosis

o    If you been on the campuses 48 hours prior to date of your test, complete the contract tracing form in MySHR.

Antiviral treatment options

Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to determine if antiviral treatment options may be recommended. 

  • Students can contact USC Student Health at 213-740-9355 (WELL) or use MySHR for a same or next day appointment. 
  • Employees should contact their regular health care provider. 
  • Free or low-cost patient assistance programs are also available to the general public, information is available through the LA County Dept of Public Health website.

Exposure to COVID-19 positive case

If you were a close contact of someone with COVID-19:

  • Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days after your last exposure.
  • Monitor your health for 10 days after your last exposure. If you start to feel sick, follow the instructions above.
  • Test 3-5 days after you were last exposed.

Vaccinations

We will communicate with campuses by email when the newer formulations for the COVID-19 vaccine are available, likely in September, as well as when influenza vaccination campaign and outreach locations are available.

  • For students, vaccinations will be available through Student Health. 
  • For employees, vaccination will be available through the USC Pharmacies and through pharmacy retailers covered under your insurance plan.

Thank you for your attention to this information. Following this guidance helps keep our friends, colleagues, and community on track for a great start to the academic year.

Fight on – and keep washing your hands!

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