COVID-19 Mitigation Process
Dear USD Student Community,
Thank you for your continued efforts in helping to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. To further facilitate understanding of USD community health and safety expectations, please take a moment to review the following updates regarding the weekly testing requirement, positive test results, close contact exposures, and COVID-19 testing resources.
COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPECTATION FOR STUDENTS
USD protocols for COVID-19 mitigation are based on current CDC, state, and county guidelines. Given the high number of students, faculty and staff who are fully vaccinated, the following protocols have shifted from the campus COVID-19 mitigation processes in effect during the 2020-21 academic year. As disease prevalence changes in our community and more data are accumulated, current guidelines may change.
TESTING REQUIREMENT
Testing Requirement - Weekly
Students who are partially vaccinated or who have received a vaccine exemption are required to test weekly through USD’s testing process.
Testing Requirement - Non-Compliance and Interim Suspension
Students who fail to schedule or complete the weekly testing appointment requirement will be placed on an interim suspension until they provide documentation demonstrating they have completed a professionally administered test that indicates they do not have COVID-19. Students on an interim suspension are not permitted to be on campus for any purpose, including attending classes, living in the residence halls, or participating in any campus activities.
Testing Requirement - Interim Suspension and Professor Notifications
Professors are notified when students are placed on an interim suspension and when they are able to return to class. Professors will not be providing academic assistance and/or flexibility while a student is on an interim suspension.
POSITIVE TEST RESULTS
Positive Test - Follow-up Testing
After testing, if you get notice via text/email that you need follow-up testing this is because your test was one of a paired test (two individual samples pooled together) that was positive for COVID-19. It is important that you follow the instructions in the email to get follow-up testing within 24 hours. Failure to do so will result in interim suspension.
Positive Test - Isolation
If a student tests positive for COVID-19 via the USD testing system, at the USD Student Health Center or self-reports a positive COVID-19 result, the student will be contacted by a USD Contact Tracer via phone and email. Students contacted by a contact tracer are expected to respond immediately. The Contact Tracer will provide specific instructions regarding how to isolate.
Positive Test - Isolation Specifics
Any student who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate themselves for 10 days despite vaccination status.
Positive Test - Residential Students
Students who live on campus will be moved into the Presidio Terrace Apartments for the duration of their isolation. USD staff will check in with these students. Meals will be provided during the period of isolation.
Positive Test - Off-campus Students
Students who live off campus and test positive for COVID-19 must isolate themselves. USD staff will check-in on these students as well. Anyone with a confirmed COVID-19 infection should separate from others, stay in a specific room or area, and use a separate bathroom (if available).
Positive Test - Professor Notifications
If a student tests positive under the USD system or self-reports they have tested positive after an externally administered test, the student’s USD professors will be notified that the student is managing a health concern and that the student will not be attending class for a period of time. In order for the student to return to class, clearance from the Office of the Dean of Students will be needed. These clearances will be generated and sent once the Contact Tracing team has determined that a student may return to classes/campus. No student who has tested positive should return to classes or campus until the clearance notification has been received.
Positive Test - Academic Flexibility
Professors are asked for their consideration regarding a student’s absence from class for a health concern. Specifically, faculty will generally allow for the student to complete their academic work, such as flexibility with assignments, or providing a recording of the class.
CLOSE CONTACT EXPOSURE
Close Contact
Pursuant to guidance received from San Diego County, classrooms are considered a dynamic environment where students move around and are together for long periods of time. Individuals in classes with a positive case will be considered close contacts. A “close contact” is defined by the CDC as someone who was within 6 feet of a person infected with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more within 2 days before illness onset, regardless of whether the contact was wearing a mask. At times others are considered close contacts when closer for a shorter time or greater than 6 feet for a longer time.
Close Contact - Exposure Notification
Any student identified as a close contact will receive the “exposure letter” from a USD Contact Tracer and the Contact Tracer will provide the student specific instructions regarding the required quarantine process.
Close Contact - Required Quarantine
Any student identified as a close contact will be required to quarantine if they are partially vaccinated or have exempt status. Close contacts who are vaccinated do not need to quarantine but CDC recommends seeking testing on days 3-5 after last exposure.
Close Contact - Required Quarantine Specifics
Unvaccinated close contacts will be advised to quarantine for 10 days. If living on-campus, they will be moved to quarantine housing. These individuals would have the option to shorten quarantine to 7 days (released on day 8) if they have a negative test result performed on days 5-7. Vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine but will be given the recommendation to get tested on days 3-5 after last exposure. Students that have documented infection of COVID-19 in the past 90 days would not need to quarantine or test.
Close Contact - Residential Students
Students who live on campus will be moved into the Presidio Terrace Apartments for the duration of their quarantine. Students who live on or off campus will be provided specific instructions regarding quarantine and testing during the quarantine period.
Close Contact - Professor Notifications
If a student tests positive or needs to quarantine because of an exposure, the student’s USD professors will be notified that the student is managing a health concern and that the student will not be attending class for a period of time. In order for the student to return to class, clearance from the Office of the Dean of Students will be needed. These clearances will be generated and sent once Contact Tracing has determined that a student may return to classes/campus. No student who has tested positive or required to quarantine should return to classes or campus until the clearance notification has been received.
Close Contact - Academic Flexibility
Professors are asked for their consideration regarding a student’s absence from class for a health concern. Specifically, faculty will generally allow for the student to complete their academic work, such as flexibility with assignments, or providing a recording of the class.
Close Contact - Previous COVID-19 Infection
If a student is exposed and required to quarantine, the student may be exempted from quarantine only if the student can document a COVID-19 infection within 90 days of the exposure. A student should provide documentation of the positive COVID-19 PCR test to contacttracing@sandiego.edu for review. Home testing kit results will not be considered. A student will be required to quarantine until documentation is received.
COVID-19 TESTING RESOURCES
Testing Access For Students Not Subject to the Weekly Testing Requirement
Students who are not required to test weekly but who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (such as coughing, nausea, fever) can access testing and care at the USD Student Health Center (SHC). Please call the SHC at 619-260-4595 to access telehealth and to make appointments. The SHC is prioritizing testing and care for students with symptoms consistent with COVID-19. However, please know any student who does not have COVID-19 symptoms but who wants to be tested can access testing in the community.
Any questions may be directed to covidsupport@sandiego.edu.
Thank you for your commitment to the health and safety of our collective USD community.
Sincerely,
The COVID-19 Action Team
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