3/24 – Campus Health Alert on COVID-19

March 24, 2021 We are advising the community about a cluster of several dozen positive cases of COVID-19 in the USC community that can be traced back to recent international travel into California, including multiple cases confirmed to be variants. If you have recently traveled to popular spring break destinations, we strongly recommended that you:…

3/23 – An Important Update from Provost Zukoski

March 23, 2021 Dear Trojan Community,  With the recent decline in COVID-19 cases in the Los Angeles area, the county has officially entered the red tier of California’s reopening framework. This change enables us to accelerate our efforts to return to in-person activities.  Remainder of Spring  Under the red tier status, we are now able…

3/18 – Reminder on COVID-19 Safety and Spring Travel

March 18, 2021 To USC Students, Faculty and Staff: The current COVID-19 case rate continues to trend downward, and with Los Angeles County now in the less restrictive red tier, additional opportunities for in-person activities are now possible, in accordance with local guidelines. There are some areas of activity that continue to pose higher risk…

3/11 – Appointment of Senior Vice President for Health Affairs

March 11, 2021 Dear Trojan Community, It’s my pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Steven Shapiro to the newly created position of Senior Vice President for Health Affairs, effective May 15. In this new role, he will directly oversee Keck Medicine of USC and Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) with oversight of associated biomedical research programs.…

3/9 – COVID-19 Vaccine and Campus Planning Update

March 9, 2021 TO:      USC Faculty and University Staff CC:      USC Students FR:      Sarah Van Orman, Chief Health Officer, USC Student Health,              Division Chief for College Health, Keck School of Medicine of USC Felicia A. Washington, Senior Vice President for Human Resources Charles F. Zukoski, USC Provost RE:      COVID-19 Update Current COVID-19 metrics…

3/1 – COVID-19 Vaccine, Phase 1B, LA County Education Sector Eligibility

March 1, 2021 To: USC Faculty and University Staff As of March 1, LA County has opened eligibility for all employment-based categories in Phase 1B, including education, childcare, emergency services, or food and agriculture sector employees, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Most USC employees meet the criteria for vaccination at public vaccination centers. Due to current vaccine…

2/22- Campus Vaccine Distribution Update

February 22, 2021 TO:      University Employees (Non-Keck Medicine) FR:       Sarah Van Orman, MD, MMM, FACHA, Chief Health Officer, USC Student Health             Division Chief for College Health, Keck School of Medicine of USC RE:      Campus Vaccine Distribution Update As you may know, LA County has announced that on March 1, the Group 1B Tier 1…

2/19- An important update from President Carol Folt

February 19, 2021 Dear Trojan students and families, I am writing to update you on Spring and Fall plans, but first let me take a moment to recognize the hardships that so many of you are experiencing due to frigid temperatures blanketing the country. Our thoughts are with our fellow Trojans, and we hope all…

2/10/21 — Vaccine prioritization strategy for USC campuses

2/10 — As Los Angeles County authorizes progress into next tiers and phases, USC will continue distribution, guided by criteria for the phases as assessed by USC Environmental Health and Safety, Public Health Policy Advisory Working Group, and the COVID-19 Vaccine Working Group. Employees will be invited to receive COVID-19 vaccination based on age/health status…

2/5/21 – COVID-19 Early Spring Update

February 5, 2021 USC Students, Faculty and University Staff: Recently, new case rates for COVID-19 and hospitalizations have continued to trend downward, after hitting a post-holidays peak. As we write this, the availability of ICU (intensive care unit) beds has increased to 13% capacity. The number of positive cases among students and employees also is decreasing, after peaking during the…