[ If you have a SARS-CoV-2 positive lab result from the Pop Testing PCR test, you will automatically receive this message from Student Health ]
Your COVID-19 test is positive. This means that you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 even if you do not have symptoms and/or are up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines.
ACTION REQUIRED—REQUIRED FORM
By university policy, you are required to complete the “Contact Tracing Form for Persons with a Positive COVID-19 Test” form located at MySHR > Messages > New Message.
Please use this form if you have tested with Student Health, taken an antigen kit at home, or tested with an outside facility.
STUDENTS: ISOLATION ACCOMMODATIONS
When you complete the contact tracing form and submit it, you will receive an automated message with a link to complete a request for isolation accommodations, if you are in need of separation from roommates/suitemates–this is only available to students living in USC Housing.
STUDENTS, FACULTY, UNIVERSITY STAFF
All patients—Complete the SYMPTOM DATE section.
Complete the CONTACT ON CAMPUS SECTION—ONLY IF you meet one of the criteria below.
- YOU ARE A STUDENT WHO HAS BEEN ON CAMPUS
You have been on the USC campuses for classes, work, library study, campus gym use, campus shuttle service, or campus dining in the 48 hours (Day -1, and Day -2) prior to Day Zero (date of symptom onset, or test result).
2. YOU ARE A USC EMPLOYEE
You are a USC employee who has reported for work at a USC facility within the 48 hours (Day -1, and Day -2) prior to Day Zero (date of symptom onset, or test result).
3. YOU ARE A STUDENT RESIDING ON CAMPUS
You reside in one of the following on-campus residence halls:
- Birnkrant
- Marks Tower
- Pardee Tower
- New North
- Parkside (A&H, IRC, Apartments)
- Webb
- USC Village (McCarthy, Cale/Irani, Nemirovsky/Bohnett, Cowlings/Ilium, McMorrow)
ACTION REQUIRED—CONTACT NOTIFICATION
You must notify all your close contacts for the 48 hours prior to your onset of symptoms or your test (if asymptomatic). Mass notification systems for campus may not comprehensively include all your contacts—it is important that you complete this step.
Using Day Zero (0) as the date your symptoms began, or if you are asymptomatic, the date of your positive test.
- Review your contacts from 48 hours prior to that day; on Day (-1), and Day (-2).
- Notify your contacts that they may be exposed, and send them the following link to instructions for possible quarantine and testing: https://studenthealth.usc.edu/instructions-exposure-to-a-positive-individual/
Once you recover you should NOT re-test with a PCR test within 90 days of your COVID-19 illness unless you have symptoms or are exposed. PCR tests in people who have recovered from previous infection may not accurately detect current infection.
ISOLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Current public health guidance is as follows:
| ISOLATION 🏠 | MASKING 😷 | DAY ZERO 📅 | NOTES | |
| TESTED POSITIVE, NO SYMPTOMS | Isolation is not required. | Masking is required for 10 days when around others. | Date of positive test. | |
| TESTED POSITIVE, SYMPTOMS | Isolation at home and away from others is required until fever-free (without fever-reducing medicines) for 24 hours AND symptoms are improving. | Masking is required for 10 days if there is a need to be around others. | Date of start of symptoms. | Strongly recommend a negative test prior to ending isolation. |
| EXPOSURE TO POSITIVE CASE | Not required. | Masking is required for 10 days when indoors around others. | Date of exposure to positive case. | Test during days 3-5, and continue to monitor your health through day 10. |
Day Zero (0) is your date your symptoms began, or if you are asymptomatic, the date of your positive test. Day One (1) is the first full day after Day Zero. Isolation instructions:
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/covidisolation/
MEDICAL CARE
If you have any of the following conditions that would place you at higher risk to get more severely ill from COVID-19, please contact your health care provider as soon as possible:
- Cancer or Prior Organ Transplant
- Chronic Kidney, Lung or Liver Disease
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Immunocompromised Condition
- Obesity
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Pregnancy
If you have concerns about your symptoms or that you may need medical treatment, please contact your health care provider immediately.
Treatment options, including oral antivirals, may be appropriate for you if you are at a higher risk of severe illness. Treatment is most effective if taken early during your illness (within 5 days). Talk to your health care provider.
Students should call USC Student Health at 213-740-9355 or send a message through mySHR to the Advice Nurse. An advice nurse is available by phone 24/7.
Faculty or staff members should contact their regular health care providers.
ISOLATION ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS
USC provides isolation accommodations to students in USC Housing who are unable to isolate within their current residence. Students living in communal-style on-campus housing are required to move to isolation housing. Student is private housing are not provided accommodations.
To request isolation housing, fill out the Contact Tracing form in your MySHR secure messages about your positive test, after the form is filled out, you will recieve a reply message with the link to request isolation housing.
HOW TO CALCULATE ISOLATION AND SELF-MONITORING TIMEFRAMES
See the calculator tool for the California Dept. of Public Health.