Featuring Prof. Ricky Bluthenthal of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, GSG rep and researcher Sheila Pakdaman, and special guest Shannon Knox, director of education and training at Community Health Project LA, this episode looks at the current drug use landscape, how it impacts college students as we are emerging from COVID-19, and how…Continue Reading Trojan-ish Podcast: Drugs and Overdose Prevention
Category: News
Vaccine Update for Campus— Influenza and COVID-19 Boosters
As we enter the influenza season, the University has renewed the decision to require influenza vaccines for all USC students, faculty, and staff for the 2021-2022 influenza season. The deadline for completion is November 1, 2021. As a reminder, please continue to use recommended hygiene practices: wash your hands, follow masking guidelines, and if you are sick, please stay home.
Recently, the FDA and CDC have also made key announcements on COVID-19 booster shots for the Pfizer (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine. Information for USC students in our campus communities about both these vaccines is outlined in a message to all students….Continue Reading Vaccine Update for Campus— Influenza and COVID-19 Boosters
9/28 Flu Vaccine Requirement for Students
All USC students taking in-person classes or living in university-owned residences in Fall 2020 are required to complete immunization for influenza by November 1. Students living in off-campus residences and taking classes remotely are also strongly encouraged to get a flu vaccine. Students returning to in person classes in Spring 2021 will be required to show proof of vaccination before they will be permitted on campus.
National Recovery Month
9/15/21—As you may already be aware, September is National Recovery Month—a time to promote and support the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of community members and service providers across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible, and new evidence-based recovery practices.
At USC, the Naloxone SC program can provide vital information and assistance to USC students in preventing overdoses or substances laced with fentanyl. Developed by the USC School of Pharmacy graduate students in CPNP, this website includes a video training on opioid reversal using naloxone—this training is available to all USC students, is free, and provides a free twin pack of Narcan-brand naloxone nasal spray and drug testing strips to all who complete the video training. An independent student-run social media account, https://twitter.com/usctaco, provides shareable content on understanding overdose prevention. Please help share the word about these programs. Access to information, training, test strips and naloxone can potentially save a life….Continue Reading National Recovery Month
8/23 Nasal Swab Testing; Other Testing Updates
As of this week, USC Student Health is re-introducing nasal swab as a method for collecting samples for COVID-19 testing. Nasal swab appointments are available through MySHR (Monday-Friday until 3:30 PM) at Jefferson Lot and Pardee Marks locations. Please refer to the Pop Testing Hours and Locations page for updated information. Thank you to our community — 27,000 tests were administered this past week, and there was less than 0.5% positivity among students — much lower than in the general population (3.52% is the current positivity rate for Los Angeles County). Your participation in our vaccine program, reaching above 91% for fully vaccinated among students, faculty, and staff, has also made the opening of the fall semester safer for everyone….Continue Reading 8/23 Nasal Swab Testing; Other Testing Updates
NEW EXTENSION PERIOD (Friday 8/27 deadline) for Trojan Check Requirements
Students are advised of an extension period for your COVID-19 surveillance test; and for completing the “Hygiene Health and Safety” learning module in Trojan Learn (https://trojanlearn.usc.edu).
If you are vaccinated and your Trojan Check is showing as “noncompliant” for either of these two reasons; you have until Friday, August 27 at 12 midnight to complete these requirements.
COVID-19 Testing (Pop Testing Program)
We strongly recommended you complete your surveillance test by Wednesday, August 25….Continue Reading NEW EXTENSION PERIOD (Friday 8/27 deadline) for Trojan Check Requirements
7/22 Health Alert: Increase in COVID-19 cases in LA County
LA County’s COVID-19 cases have increased by 20-fold compared to last month. On June 21 there were 124 cases. Yesterday, July 21, there were 2,551 new cases reported. We are also seeing an increase in positive cases in the USC community. Given the increase in community spread, we remind all USC students, faculty, and staff of the symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms may be very mild, especially if you are fully vaccinated. Please stay home if you have symptoms and do not go to work, attend class, or any other activity until you are able to test. If you receive a contact-tracing email notification from USC Student Health that you are believed to have had a COVID-19 exposure, you are recommended to test even if you are fully vaccinated.…Continue Reading 7/22 Health Alert: Increase in COVID-19 cases in LA County
7/15 Health Alert: Indoor Masking Required, Effective Immediately
7/15 — In alignment with the LA County Department of Public Health Public Health Officer Order announced today,USC is now requiring masking indoors for all individuals in campus facilities, including vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, to protect yourself and others from transmission. Los Angeles County has seen a recent rise in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks, confirming a trend of rising transmission among unvaccinated individuals. For the first time since March, Los Angeles County has reported more than 1,500 new cases daily. There is also growing concern about the Delta variant, which is highly transmissible and now has been detected in all 50 states in the U.S., and accounts for the vast majority of cases currently identified in LA County.
…Continue Reading 7/15 Health Alert: Indoor Masking Required, Effective Immediately
Health Requirements for New Students: Entering for Spring 2023
As you get ready for the academic year, we would like to share with you some materials that will help you adjust to campus life and meet some health and safety requirements—including COVID-19 vaccination requirements that have a completion deadline of July 15, 2021.
Please review the new student materials as you make plans to start the academic year, and share with parents, guardians, and other members of your support network. (Materials translated into Chinese are available online.) We would also like to remind you to learn about health and immunization requirements for new students, including insurance and immunizations….Continue Reading Health Requirements for New Students: Entering for Spring 2023
“Ask A Doc” and Vaccine Facts
Although 70 percent of Californians have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, we are still racing against time to immunize as many people as possible before the coronavirus can develop new variants. Vaccination rates in cities across LA County range from 20% to 79% (among ages 16 and older). Learn the facts about vaccines, including addressing common myths, so you have accurate information if you are still making your decision. USC departments can arrange to have medical providers answer questions and engage with faculty and staff about vaccine concerns, through our “Ask A Doc” program….Continue Reading “Ask A Doc” and Vaccine Facts