Outdoor locations for surveillance “Pop Testing” has resumed at regular outdoor tent areas: Pappas Quad (HSC) and Pardee (UPC). NOTE: The Parkside location has been discontinued due to construction. Additional location in the Jefferson Parking Structure (adjacent to Engemann Plaza) has been added….Continue Reading Surveillance “Pop testing” Locations
Category: News
8/24 Community Health Advisory
For students who remain on or near campus in shared living arrangements, we strongly advise you to act with caution and strictly follow all guidelines for physical distancing (6 ft.), avoiding gatherings with other outside your home, wearing face coverings around others to protect against respiratory droplets, and proceed with high adherence to hand hygiene and frequent surface contact cleaning.
It is strongly recommended that students in the vicinity of USC, especially those living with housemates or suite mates, should test weekly through the Pop Testing program. All students on USC Housing lists will receive a reminder email to this effect.
Personally identifiable information is kept as private patient information by our contact tracing team….Continue Reading 8/24 Community Health Advisory
Student Health announces “Pop Testing” for Covid-19
USC Student Health is initiating population testing (“Pop. Testing”) of COVID-19 with the external company, Color, to begin the week of August 3, 2020. The ongoing testing is part of the University’s overall testing strategy to identify, isolate, contact trace, and contain new infections. Collection will consist of a self-collected nasal swab, under the observation of a health professional, and later, through unobserved self-collection. Results will be available in 1-3 days. Check your USC email for a message from (support@color.com) if you are recommended to participate in testing….Continue Reading Student Health announces “Pop Testing” for Covid-19
Fall 2020: Covid-19 Testing Strategy and Health Protocols
Over the past few months, the university has developed comprehensive Covid-19 campus public health measures including daily wellness screening, testing, contact tracing, and procedures for isolating individuals who are ill and exposed. These measures were developed from all available scientific evidence and are fully compliant with guidelines from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. USC will continually update its recommendations as needed based on emerging evidence and changing public health conditions. Students are expected to comply with all required health measures.
Initial Covid-19 Student Test: Students permitted to live in USC Housing or who have an in-person class must present documentation of a COVID-19 test performed within 7 days before their first day on campus. Details on uploading documentation and information about on campus options for this Initial Covid-19 test will be posted to a Covid-19 testing instructions page….Continue Reading Fall 2020: Covid-19 Testing Strategy and Health Protocols
Time Extension for Immunization Compliance
Temporary Postponement for Students Outside of California Due to the current disruptions related to Covid-19 in the U.S., USC Student Health is permitting time extensions for completing immunization requirements for new students residing outside of California as follows: Students currently residing outside of California will not be required to complete immunization requirements until the semester…Continue Reading Time Extension for Immunization Compliance
Health Requirements Update, Fall 2020
The health requirements for insurance, immunizations, and testing, and fees/deadline structure, has been modified for the Fall 2020 semester due to Covid-19. Please see the announcement….Continue Reading Health Requirements Update, Fall 2020
Covid-19 Health Alert, 7/9/20
We are writing to you at a time when Los Angeles County is seeing unparalleled growth in transmission and percentage of positive cases in our community.
In the past few days, a cluster of 15 positive cases of COVID-19 among houses located on 28th Street has been identified and is being evaluated. Patients with confirmed positive tests are in self-isolation at home or are in the process of being privately transported to isolation.
We have seen a rapid acceleration in community spread in the last three weeks, as has the rest of Los Angeles County. The current positivity rate for LA County is 11%, up from 5% about three weeks ago. Statistically, 1 out of every 7 people in Los Angeles would test positive for COVID-19 at this point in time….Continue Reading Covid-19 Health Alert, 7/9/20
Regarding Rule 1557 of the ACA
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources finalized a rule on June 12, 2020 regarding Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that removes “gender identity” and “gender expression” from the protections against discrimination “on the basis of sex.” This action effectively reverses federal protection against discrimination in healthcare and in health insurance coverage that was explicitly inclusive of transgender men, transgender women, gender nonbinary and other members of the LGBTQ community. The rule also eliminated protection against discrimination for terminations of pregnancy.
As a health care organization, and as part of a world-renowned academic medical center, we would like to affirm to our patients that this change in federal rules announced on Friday afternoon will not diminish any access, care, services, or support from USC Student Health. Although most insurance plans carried by California residents, including the Student Health Insurance Plan and Medi-Cal Managed Care plans, will not be affected by the new rule, we encourage you to verify other coverage. We firmly believe that all patients deserve to be treated with respect, sensitivity, and understanding for their individual identity and context….Continue Reading Regarding Rule 1557 of the ACA
Letter from the Chief Health Officer 6/1/20
Our campus communities have endured difficulties over the past months. Struggling with the impact of Covid-19, the sudden disruptions, and civil unrest. Helping our community heal goes to the core of who we are, what we believe, and how we serve. Student Health is united as a community that cares, and we will provide care to students who need our help. We are extending one-time service eligibility to students (including recent May 2020 graduates) for urgent counseling or Covid-19 related care to help relieve the extraordinary stress of this moment in time. Provider care (medical and mental health) is available by TeleHealth to all USC students residing in California; workshops and “Let’s Talk” drop-ins are available to students regardless of current location….Continue Reading Letter from the Chief Health Officer 6/1/20
Services Update
As of June 1, 2020, USC students who are out of eligibility (not enrolled in services through the Summer Health Fee) but whom were eligible in Spring 2020 may be seen for one visit for the following urgent circumstances: urgent mental health appointment, or testing and treatment for Covid-19 related exposures and symptoms. This service extension applies through June 30, 2020 and includes recent class of 2020 graduates. Call 213-740-9355 (WELL) for appointments….Continue Reading Services Update