Dear USF Community,
We hope July is going well for everyone. As we begin to welcome more and more community members back to campus, we want to also send some COVID updates and reminders your way, as well as some information on monkeypox. While it is always advisable to stay alert about any emerging public health outbreaks, the current risk of getting monkeypox in the general public is very low. We are monitoring the disease incidence and current public health recommendations, and if there is a case in the university population, including in residence halls or amongst staff, USF will follow current CDC and CDPH guidance. Basic monkeypox information is at the end of this message.
USF COVID Protocol Updates and Reminders
FACE COVERINGS
Face coverings will continue to be required indoors for the start of the fall semester with the exception of the Koret Health and Recreation Center (where masks are highly encouraged). Student Life is providing N95 masks to high-risk individuals such as unvaccinated faculty, students, and staff, and KN95 and surgical masks continue to be provided to the schools and college as supplies allow. N95s for unvaccinated individuals, KN95s, and surgical masks are still available at Public Safety kiosks. In September we will explore linking indoor masking to community transmission levels. Masking will be kept in place when levels are high, substantial and moderate. We will explore moving to optional face coverings for up-to-date vaccinated individuals when levels are low. Levels will need to be low for two weeks before we will consider changing our masking guidelines. We will seek input from the community prior to linking to community transmission levels.
SUMMER & FALL TESTING SCHEDULE
Summer Testing
Rapid antigen testing is provided on campus for USF students, faculty, and staff who are symptomatic, have had a close contact, or have an approved vaccine exemption and will be on campus. These services are also provided for USF guests registered with Student Housing as approved occupants in summer guest housing.
Testing is drop-in only and provided Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in UC 501.
Testing clinics are not open on weekends. Should you need symptom-based or close-contact testing when testing clinics are closed, you are encouraged to secure your own testing. Rapid testing kits are available at all local drug stores and can be booked through health providers.
Fall Testing
Starting August 1, 2022, COVID testing through GoHealth for students, faculty, and staff will be available on Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m., Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Room 501 of University Center. To register, please visit HPS COVID-19 Resources.
Students, faculty, and staff reporting symptoms and who are identified as close contacts will continue to receive instructions for testing from the COVID tracing team. Drop-in hours for symptomatic testing, close-contact testing, and end-of-isolation testing will be offered on the fifth floor of University Center on days when testing is not available through GoHealth. Students with approved exemptions will continue to be required to test weekly at GoHealth testing and will receive additional information.
VACCINES AND BOOSTERS
Students should submit their COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster records through Med+Proctor. Faculty and staff should update this information in Workday by following the upload instructions. Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster clinic near you.
Stay up-to-date on COVID guidance by visiting USF Together and by downloading the new USF mobile app.
VACCINATION CLINICS
Health Promotion Services is hosting two clinics on campus in partnership with the USF Clinic. Students, faculty, and staff will be able to receive a COVID vaccine or booster (if eligible) on the following dates and times at the no-appointment-necessary, walk-in clinic:
- Wednesday, August 17, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at UC 402/403
- Saturday, August 20, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at UC 402/403
**Students will also be able to receive Hepatitis B, MMR, and a TB test if needed to complete their immunization requirements.
SYMPTOM MONITORING
Each member of our community should self-monitor for symptoms and not come to campus if they are symptomatic, even if they have a negative test. You no longer need to complete the daily online Dons Health Check. Although completion of the health check is no longer required or tied to your One Card, you should still monitor your symptoms and report positive COVID test results through the positive intake reporting form. You may also contact covidtracing@usfca.edu and let them know you tested positive.
CONTACT TRACING
An abridged version of USF’s contact tracing procedures is available on the testing and tracing page of USF Together.
We know that at times a member of our community may be made aware of a positive case prior to covidtracing@usfca.edu being notified. If a member of the community discloses to you that they have tested positive for COVID and they did not test at one of USF’s on-campus testing clinics, please refer them to covidtracing@usfca.edu so we can work through our protocols and send the proper notifications. When a student tests positive and confirms which classes they have attended during their 48-hour infectious period, faculty members and fellow classmates will receive communication from a member of the COVID tracing team. Communication may be delayed depending on when the team receives the information about the positive result, or whether someone had symptoms before testing positive. We can all do our part by not coming to campus if we are not feeling well.
CLOSE CONTACTS AND POSITIVE TESTS
In the event that you are informed that you are a close contact of a COVID-positive individual — whether or not that individual is a member of the USF community — please take the following steps:
- If you are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster if you are eligible, and are asymptomatic, you are not required to quarantine and may fully participate in campus activities.
- It is recommended that you test on or after the fifth day following exposure, unless symptoms present earlier.
- If you are not up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, you should quarantine and limit contact with others until you can be tested on or after the fifth day following exposure, unless symptoms present earlier.
- In both scenarios, wear a well-fitted mask and contact covidtracing@usfca.edu with any questions.
In the event that you test positive, please follow these steps:
- Complete the positive intake reporting form or contact covidtracing@usfca.edu and let them know you tested positive.
- Isolate away from others who are not COVID positive. Upon receiving your positive result, the COVID tracing team will do an intake to determine your length of isolation. They will provide guidance on isolation procedures and when you are eligible to test out of isolation. The isolation period is currently 10 days, with the ability to be released on or after your fifth day of isolation if you receive a negative test. You will also be provided information on your infectious window and how to notify those you have had close contact with.
- If you are a residential student, the housing office will be in touch with you to coordinate your isolation location and resources, should you not have access to off-campus isolation resources.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and for all you are doing to keep our community safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
COVID Management Team
Additional Information on Monkeypox
To prevent getting monkeypox:
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash. This includes touching and sharing utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox. There are images and detailed descriptions of monkeypox’s distinctive rash on the CDC website.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- If you have reason to believe that you have been exposed to or may have monkeypox, contact your doctor, who will then contact the Department of Health to arrange testing and coordinate treatment.
Infection with monkeypox virus begins with an incubation period. A person is not contagious during this period. Please note the incubation period is roughly 1-2 weeks, and a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine.
Persons with monkeypox will develop an early set of symptoms (prodrome). A person may sometimes be contagious during this period.
- The first symptoms include fever, malaise, headache, sometimes sore throat and cough, and lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes).
- This typically occurs with fever onset, 1–2 days before rash onset, or rarely with rash onset.
- Lymph nodes may swell in the neck (submandibular & cervical), armpits (axillary), or groin (inguinal) and occur on both sides of the body or just one.
- Following the prodrome, lesions will develop in the mouth and on the body. Lesions progress through several stages before falling off. A person is contagious from the onset through the scab stage. Once all scabs have fallen off a person is no longer contagious.
If you are sick with monkeypox:
- Isolate at home.
- If you have an active rash or other symptoms, stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with, when possible.