To: USC Faculty and Staff
From: Sarah Van Orman, Chief Health Officer for USC Student Health
Re: Health in the Workplace
As many of you have experienced in the past weeks, there is heightened concern for public health and individual safety at USC in light of COVID-19 in the Los Angeles region and throughout the world.
The essential role of USC employees in keeping the university able to maintain its core operations cannot be underestimated. You are keeping us moving forward, providing the structural support for every step of progress we are making for our students, patients, and each other.
In order to keep up the pace we have set for the university’s recovery from COVID-19 disruptions, we also need to keep ourselves and our co-workers healthy.
Protect yourself through social distancing and good hygiene while on campus. Maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others, even at meals and casual breaks.
For individuals who are beginning to experience respiratory symptoms (cough, fever, difficulty breathing, congestion), please stay at home from work until you recover. Contact your health care provider, who will evaluate your symptoms and may make recommendations for testing. This is especially important for workers who may have close contact (within 6 feet, for more than 10 minutes) with other people as part of their work assignments. Please note the following:
- For employees who have questions about their individual levels of risk, please reach out to your Human Resources Partner to discuss. Environmental Health and Safety is working with departments to advise on best practices.
- Environmental Health and Safety has produced a health alert and other useful information for workplace safety regarding COVID-19.
- Questions about possible exposures, comments, or notification about a positive test may be directed to the COVID-19 hotline: 213-740-6291; answers to frequently asked questions are also available on the COVID-19 website.
- Keck Medicine of USC has specific procedures related to infection control due to the nature of the clinical environment. Keck employees should contact EmployeeHotline@med.usc.edu with general inquiries; and contact Employee Health for illness-related questions and clearances:(323) 442-5219.
The entire leadership team thanks you for your ongoing contributions to USC. Your dedication to our community during this time of change and tumult exemplifies the meaning of the Trojan Family.