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Dear USD Campus Community,
In December, after careful consideration and consultation with local health officials, the University of San Diego made the decision to require all spring 2022 students enrolled at the university to submit on the Wellness Portal proof of booster vaccination against COVID-19 to live in the residential halls or attend in-person classes. Faculty, staff and administrators were also notified that they are required to submit proof of booster vaccination through the USD Employee Vaccine Form.
Unvaccinated individuals who have already received an exemption for COVID-19 vaccination or vaccinated individuals who are given an exemption for the booster vaccination will be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing and follow quarantine guidelines (as listed below).
As we have mentioned in recent communications, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and San Diego County health officials believe that boosters dramatically lower the risk of a breakthrough infection and even further reduce risk of severe disease.
In consideration of this recommendation, and in support of our efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus within our campus community, USD is implementing the following health and safety measures in advance of the Spring 2022 semester:
- All faculty, staff, administrators and students eligible to receive the COVID-19 booster vaccination are required to submit documentation of their booster dose by January 14. Those who are ineligible (i.e., there has not been adequate time from their last dose) will be required to submit documentation of a booster dose when they become eligible.
- Those students returning to campus housing or in-person classes for the spring 2022 semester will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to returning to campus. Both PCR and Antigen (rapid) tests are acceptable, but home tests are not.
Updated CDC Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines
Recently, the CDC and the County of San Diego updated and shortened recommended isolation and quarantine periods for the general population based on data compiled on COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. These changes will be adopted by the university immediately, and include the following:
Isolation Guidelines
Anyone, regardless of vaccination status, who tests positive for the COVID-19 virus or one of its variants (Delta or Omicron), or is symptomatic without having tested, is required to remain in isolation until at least one of the following has occurred:
Symptomatic Person (with repeat testing)
- At least 5 days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND
- At least 24 hours have passed since last fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND
- A repeat diagnostic test (either PCR or antigen) taken on day 5 or later is negative AND
- Other symptoms improved.
- After this period, a mask shall be worn until 10 days after symptoms have first appeared, as well as following any and all other facial covering requirements, except as provided in the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings.
Symptomatic Person (without repeat testing)
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND
- At least 24 hours have passed since last fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND
- Other symptoms improved.
Asymptomatic Person (with repeat testing)
- At least 5 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test AND
- A repeat diagnostic test (antigen test or PCR test) collected on day 5 or later is
- A mask shall be worn until 10 days after the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test, as well as following any and all other facial covering requirements, except as provided in the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance for the Use of FaceCoverings.
Asymptomatic Person (without repeat testing)
- At least 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic
Quarantine Guidelines
If you have recently come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus or one of its variants (Delta or Omicron), you are required to observe the following guidelines:
If you: Are vaccinated and have received a booster shot, OR received the Pfizer vaccine within the past 5 months (no booster), OR received the Moderna vaccine within the past 6 months (no booster), OR received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine within the past 2 months:
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Test on day 5, if possible.
- If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.
If you: Received the Pfizer vaccine more than 5 months ago (no booster), OR received the Moderna vaccine more than 6 months ago (no booster), OR received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine more than 2 months ago, OR are unvaccinated:
- Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- If unable to quarantine, you must wear a mask for 10 days.
- Test on day 5 if possible
- If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.
Additional information is available on updated CDC and San Diego County quarantine and isolation guidelines. Our current requirement to wear face coverings at all times within USD buildings will remain in effect and aligns with these new recommendations.
Thank you again for your commitment to the health and safety of our entire USD community. Additional details on our COVID-19 health and safety efforts can be found on our Onward USD website.
Sincerely,
The COVID-19 Action Team
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