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COVID-19 Information

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COVID-19 Symptoms

For urgent COVID-19 symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, please seek immediate medical attention. If you have symptoms: wear a mask and take a Rapid Antigen Test, or contact your healthcare provider to order a lab test. If the test is positive, view the Positive Test Instructions. If the test is negative, continue to mask and test again in 24–48 hours.



For questions or concerns, call the Nurse Advice Line at (831) 459-2591.

What are COVID-19 symptoms I should look out for?

COVID-19 can feel like a cold, allergies, or the flu and includes the following symptoms: • Fever or chills • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches • Headache • New loss of taste or smell • Sore throat • Congestion or runny nose • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea 

Guidance about what to do if you're sick and how to care for yourself at home.
When should I test for COVID-19?
  1. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19: Test immediately, regardless of your COVID-19 vaccination status. If your test is negative but you continue to have symptoms, test again 24–48 hours later. Low amounts of virus early in infection can be missed by a test, and the test can be positive a few days later.
  2. If you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19: Test when notified of exposure and 3–5 days after exposure, even if you have no symptoms. Test immediately if symptoms develop.
  3. Consider testing before and 3–5 days after a gathering, a large event or travel, especially if you are going to be around people who are higher risk (older adults, immunocompromised, unvaccinated people).
My roommate/housemate is isolating in place after testing positive for COVID; what do I need to do?

Please visit Guidelines for Close Contacts Sharing a Living/Sleeping Space with a Positive COVID-19 Case. 

 

COVID-19 Testing

Masking

Anyone with respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, runny nose, and/or sore throat), must still wear a mask when visiting UCSC Student Health. Because masks help protect the mask wearer and others from communicable disease exposure, SHS continues to strongly recommend their use in all healthcare facilities. 

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends to wear a mask:​

  • If you test positive for COVID-19, masking for 10 days is recommended. 
  • Around others if you have respiratory symptoms 
  • If you've had exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
  • If you are at higher-risk of becoming severely ill, and in an indoor public setting with poor ventilation, or when you are traveling on public transportation.  

Vaccination Policy

Get a COVID-19 Vaccine

Resources