COVID-19 Info & Resources

As of June 1, 2023, the student requirement to report positive COVID-19 testing has ended. Staff and Faculty still need to report to HR.

Stay home if you are sick, inform your instructors if you are absent from class, and contact your healthcare provider for a medical evaluation. It is your responsibility to contact your professors and ask for accommodation if needed.

If you test positive for COVID-19, take the following safety measures to help keep yourself and others safe:

1. Seek Treatment. If you have symptoms, particularly if you are at higher risk for severe COVID-19, speak with a healthcare provider as soon as you test positive. You may be eligible for antiviral medicines or other treatments for COVID-19. COVID-19 antiviral medicines work best if taken as soon as possible, and within 5-7 days from when symptoms start. 
2. Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms, until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication AND other COVID-19 symptoms​ are mild and improving.​
   • ​​​​​​​​​If you do not have symptoms, you should follow the recommendations below to reduce exposure to others.
3. Mask when you are around other people indoors for the 10 days* after you become sick or test positive (if no symptoms). You may remove your mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. Day 0 is symptom onset date or positive test date.
4. Avoid contact with people at higher-risk for severe COVID-19 for 10 days*. Higher-risk individuals include the elderly, those who live in congregate care facilities, those who have immunocompromising conditions, and that put them at higher risk for serious illness.

The Student Health Center does perform COVID-19 testing by appointment only as needed for eligible, symptomatic students that have been evaluated by the medical provider. Same-day appointments are limited. We do NOT do COVID-19 Testing for travel or non-symptomatic purposes.

Take Home COVID-19 Tests are available for free at the Student Health Center while supplies last.

This is general information provided as a resource for symptomatic people looking for testing. We are not affiliated with any of the following resources.

• Beginning November 20, every U.S. household can again place another order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home: https://www.covid.gov/tests
• Sesame: Telehealth COVID Visit for the uninsured and underinsured
• California COVID-19 Testing Information
• Test to Treat Locations
• Check to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended
• Most major pharmacies and urgent care clinics can also test for COVID-19. Call your insurance or check their websites for coverage. 

POSITIVE TEST- 

Reach out to your medical provider, urgent care center, pharmacy, or the CDPH Call Center at 833-422-4255 and ask about prescription COVID-19 medications. Don’t wait until symptoms get worse, the medications must be started within the first 5 days of symptoms to be effective.

COVID-19 medications are widely available and effective for treating COVID-19 to prevent serious illness. They are recommended for most adults, including those older than 50 years, and some teens. While government-purchased supplies last, the medications remain available for free, whether or not you have insurance or citizenship status. Ask your pharmacy if they have free supply available.  

If you have difficulties accessing COVID-19 medication, you can make a free phone or video appointment with a health care provider through California’s COVID-19 telehealth service by visiting sesamecare.com/covid19 or calling 1-855-780-3855.  This program will run to the end of February 2024. Visit YouCanBeatIt.Org for information on additional telehealth options that are available beyond February 2024.

*COVID-19 Vaccine: Everyone age 6 months and above is eligible for the vaccine.  View updates from the Orange County COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce.

For COVID-19 Vaccine information, please view: COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for College Students. Below are registration sites to register for the COVID-19 vaccine. We are not affiliated with any of the following resources:

• 17th Street Family Health Clinic: 1-800-914-4887
• Vaccines.gov
• My Turn
• CVS  
• Rite Aid 
• Walgreens 
• Walmart

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Pressure or pain in your chest.
• Bluish or grayish lips, face, or nails.
• Confusion or difficulty waking.

*This list does not include all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. 

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Prevention is the best strategy to reduce your risk of viral infection.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
• Avoid close contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. 
• Wear a well fitting mask in poorly ventilated spaces and crowds.
• Improving ventilation and spending time outdoors
• Keep healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking water, getting enough sleep, and managing stress.
• Quit smoking and vaping forever.
• Obtain a preventative vaccine such as the COVID-19 vaccine or flu shot if available.

For more information, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or view  CDC - How to Protect Yourself & Others.

View PDF

When to Wash Your Hands:

• Before and after:

  • Preparing food
  • Eating food
  • Treating a cut or wound
  • Caring for someone who is ill
• After sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose
• After returning from a public place
• After using the toilet, helping someone else toilet, changing diapers
• After handling animal food or waste
• After touching garbage

How to Wash Your Hands: 

1. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds
2. Palm to palm: rub hands together
3. Wash your fingernails, base of thumbs and wrists
4. Interlace your fingers
5. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water
6. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them

• Statewide COVID-19 Hotline: (833) 422-4255
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Information 
• California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 Updates 
• CDC: COVID-19 Symptoms
• CDC: What to Do If You Are Sick