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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Self-Test kits are available for purchase at the UCSC Cowell Student Health Center Pharmacy. Each kit comes with 1 test at a budget-friendly price.
- PCR Testing is available at a variety of locations in Santa Cruz County.
- Find a nearby testing location in California at MyTurn.ca.gov.
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
- Visit this link for requirements and instructions on how to attest or decline.
- For staff and faculty COVID-19 information please visit the Risk Services department website.
Get a COVID-19 Vaccine
- Go to Health e-Messenger to schedule an immunization appointment for the updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The shot is free for students with UC SHIP.
- For students without UC SHIP, we recommend that you contact an off-campus provider that is in-network and covered under your health insurance to ensure the lowest cost for the vaccine. Here are a few suggestions for off-campus pharmacies or visit www.vaccines.gov
Resources
- Get the Facts on COVID-19 Vaccines
- View the UCSC campus COVID-19 FAQ
- Positive Test Instructions - Employees
- Get your digital COVID-19 vaccination record with the State of California
- COVID-19 Resources: California Department of Public Health