COVID-19 Resource Center
Information, updates and support for the USC community
To notify the university of a case, please complete the “Contact Tracing Form” in MySHR.
[Located in MySHR > Messages > New Message]
Latest Updates
- Update: Flowflex tests extend dateThe FDA has extended the shelf-life the Flowflex COVID-19 antigen kits distributed by USC Student Health. The current lot in circulation, LOT: COV201007, with a printed expiration date of January 2023, has been extended to October 2023. See the full…
- Pre-Travel COVID-19 TestingFor USC students who need testing to board international flights, please know that testing hours through the Pop Testing (PCR) program currently runs from Monday-Friday; testing is not available on weekends. Results typically return within 48 hours, but this is not a guaranteed timeframe. Testing offered at USC’s PCR program is designed for screening and diagnosis but not travel services. Students who have rush needs to meet pre-boarding testing requirements for international flights may need to engage external, commercial testing services (ex: Curative, Testing DX, Hummingbird, 911 COVID Testing); rush charges may not be covered by insurance.
- Preparing for Seasonal Holiday Travel & Gatherings (11/18)Pick up antigen testing kits for COVID-19: these can be obtained at no cost at the Jefferson Lot testing site, and the Pappas Quad testing site, all students and all employees are eligible to pick up kits. Students may also obtain kits from the CSC desks in USC Housing. Test pre-and post-exposure: Travel increases risk of exposure, so use a test before traveling, and after arriving. Use a second test 24-48 hours later to confirm your negative status. Get a flu shot and updated COVID-19 booster: If you have not yet received your immunizations, it is strongly recommended to get updated vaccinations for these illnesses before traveling and meeting with groups of friends and relatives. It is strongly recommended that you wear a high-quality mask when you are in indoor public settings, including all public transit hubs. Indicators that are monitored by the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health have tracked recent increased transmission in Los Angeles, prompting this upgraded recommendation for masking protection. Remembers the “three C’s”: closed indoor spaces with poor air flow, crowded settings, and settings where people are breathing talking or breathing heavily closely together.
USC Heroes
Read how the Trojan family is going above and beyond to help each other and the community.
Staying Safe and Supporting Your Well-being
We encourage USC students, faculty and staff to practice good hygiene when coming to campus and interacting with each other. Test if you may have had an exposure, and test before and after attending a gathering or returning from travel (days 3-5 after potential exposure are recommended.) Wear a high-quality mask when indoors or in crowded settings to keep yourself and others safe from transmission. Vaccines are available at no cost, and are the best tools for protecting yourself and others from severe illness and hospitalization.
Know that resources supporting the mental health and well-being of students are available through Student Health’s Counseling and Mental Health Services unit (part of the Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences in the Keck School of Medicine of USC). Additional campus offices offer assistance for USC students. Mental health programs for faculty and staff are available through the Center for Work and Family Life, and the Care for the Caregiver program is available to the health care workforce of Keck Medicine of USC.
3 Tips to Stay Healthy
Use healthy
hygiene practices
If you feel sick, stay home. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Cover your cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Wear a high-quality mask when indoors or in crowded settings.
Monitor
your health
Monitor your health. If you feel sick, stay home and apart from others in your household. Contact your medical provider. See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) description of symptoms and the self-checker tool. If you are/have been on campus and test positive, complete the contact tracing form in MySHR.
Stay
informed
There is a lot of inaccurate information about COVID-19. Check with official sources for up-to-date information, including www.cdc.gov and publichealth.lacounty.gov. If you are in Los Angeles, you can sign up for city-wide emergency alerts at NotifyLA.org.
LEARN MORE
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
The L.A. County Department of Public Health is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to respond to COVID-19.
LEARN MORE
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) provides updated information about COVID-19 as it becomes available.
LEARN MORE
U.S. State Department
The U.S. State Department issued travel advisories related to COVID-19 for select countries.
Visit the U.S. State Department website
COVID-19 in the Community
USC has taken several significant actions to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, similar to steps the city of Los Angeles and other local municipalities have announced.
We are continuing to monitor the rapidly evolving situation in light of information from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health about the community spread of the virus in the county.
The university’s leadership will continue to monitor the situation closely and will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves.
View the Daily Digest of COVID-19 Notifications.
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