COVID-19 Safety & Prevention Resources, Information, and Campus Guidelines
THANK YOU! Together we are helping to keep our community safe and healthy...
COVID-19 POSITIVE TEST REPORTING FORM for students and employees.
Please use the form above to report all positive COVID-19 cases to the Manager, COVID-19 Response and Compliance and/or Student Health Services.
If you test positive please contact your health provider and use the form above.
Please stay home for a minimum of 24 hours since the onset of symptoms or the positive test (whichever came first). Wait until your symptoms are mild and improving and you have had no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. A negative test is not required to return to campus. A mask is required to be worn for a minimum of 10 days after the initial onset of symptoms or the positive test (whichever came first).
It is vital that all positive COVID-19 cases and campus exposures get reported in a timely manner.
To help keep our campus safe, contact tracing must be conducted promptly and notifications must be sent as soon as possible. Timely campus exposure notifications also significantly help reduce the likelihood of an outbreak on campus. All aspects of case investigations and contact tracing are confidential.
Students are encouraged to reference course syllabi and email professors to inform them that they will be unable to participate in in-person academic activities while isolating due to a recent positive COVID-19 test. Academic accommodations are made for students in these circumstances.
If you have been exposed on campus:
Get tested in 2-4 days after your last exposure, or immediately if you experience symptoms. You can still use expired Rapid Antigen self-tests as long as the Control (C) Line activates and the test has been stored at room temperature (36-86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Employees can get free Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Tests from the Manager, COVID-19 Response and Compliance at krkascha@cabrillo.edu, Human Resources, Building 1550, on the Aptos campus, or at the Watsonville Student Resource Center.
Students may obtain free Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Tests from Student Health Services or at the Watsonville Student Resource Center.
Please note that, unlike many other respiratory infections (such as the flu), the viral load for COVID-19 infections usually peaks on the fourth day of symptoms. This can affect early test results and/or when symptoms are most severe. This means that it is very important that you stay home if you have symptoms and test negative on days 1-3. Please stay home if you are sick.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19:
If you have symptoms, please stay home until your symptoms are mild and improving, you are without a fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and you test negative on the 4th day since the initial onset of symptoms and/or your last known exposure (whichever came first).
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Possible symptoms include:
· Fever or chills
· Cough
· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
· Fatigue
· Muscle or body aches
· Headache
· New loss of taste or smell
· Sore throat
· Congestion or runny nose
· Nausea or vomiting
· Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary by person.
Masks and Respirators
Students: Masks can be obtained at the Student Health Center or from your instructors.
Employees: Request N95 respirators and disposable surgical masks for your area through FPPO by submitting a work order. Please be specific as to which type of mask you want and how many.
Please review the training video on correctly wearing N95 respirators: Cal/OSHA Training Video on the Use of N95 Respirators
Fall 2024: Updated 2024-2025 flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Limiting the spread of respiratory viruses helps everyone, especially vulnerable members of our community like children, older adults and those who are immunocompromised. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated this season to protect themselves and their loved ones from respiratory viruses. Respiratory infections like flu, COVID-19, and RSV are common during the fall and winter seasons, and getting immunized against these diseases has been proven safe and effective in preventing serious illness in children and adults (CDPH). Let's keep working together to keep our community safe and healthy. Remember to wash your hands, wear a mask in crowded places, and stay home if you're feeling sick!
The summer COVID-19 wave: In keeping with trends from previous years, during the Summer Semester 2024, COVID-19 cases rose alongside the summer season heat in Santa Cruz county. Summer surges were expected and the increase in cases followed similar trends that were observed in the past two years.
As of Fall Semester 2024, Cabrillo College is aligning isolation recommendations/requirements for those who test positive for COVID-19 based on the California Department of Health COVID-19 isolation recommendations.
As of January 9, 2024, the California Department of Health no longer recommends testing for all close contacts and instead recommends testing only for:
All people with new COVID-19 symptoms
Close contacts who are at higher risk of severe disease or who have contact with people who are at higher risk of severe disease
In workplace outbreaks it is still required to test all close contacts
As of January 9, 2024, the California Department of Heath has updated their masking guidelines for those who have tested positive. Please see Masks on Campus further down this page.
Effective December 8, 2023: The Inspire Diagnostics testing site in Parking Lot R on the Aptos campus will be closed and their last day testing on campus will be Thursday December 7, 2023.
Q: WHAT MUST I DO IF I HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19?
Report: Please report your positive case to Manager, COVID-19 Response & Compliance and/or Student Health Services by using the COVID-19 POSITIVE TEST REPORTING FORM at the top of this webpage.
It is recommended to stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms: If you have symptoms, it is required to stay home (isolate) until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication AND other COVID-19 symptoms are mild and improving.
If you do not have symptoms:
It is recommended to wear a mask on campus when you are around other people indoors for the 10 days after you become sick or test positive (without symptoms). You can remove your mask sooner than 10 days if you have two consecutive negative tests at least one day apart. Day Zero is symptom onset date or positive test date (whichever came first).
Seek treatment: If you have symptoms, particularly if you are at higher risk for severe COVID-19, speak with a healthcare provider as soon as you test positive. You may be eligible for antiviral medicines or other treatments for COVID-19. COVID-19 antiviral medicines work best if taken as soon as possible, and within 5-7 days from when symptoms start.
Q: IS A NEGATIVE TEST REQUIRED TO RETURN TO CAMPUS?
Individuals may return to campus without a negative test if they have completed their isolation period.
Q: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?
The best way to accurately determine whether you have COVID-19 is to get tested. Please note that, unlike many other respiratory infections (such as the flu), the viral load for COVID-19 infections usually peaks on the fourth day of symptoms. This can affect early test results and/or when symptoms and/or when symptoms are most severe.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Possible symptoms include:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19. Older adults and people who have underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
More information on Symptoms of COVID-19 from the CDC
Long COVID: https://covid19.ca.gov/long-covid/
Q: WHAT MUST I DO IF I HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should mask and test right away. It is recommended to stay home while waiting for test results. You can still have COVID-19 and be infectious if you are testing negative at your initial onset of symptoms because it can take 2-4 days after symptoms begin for a test to result as positive. This is due to the viral load for COVID-19 infections usually taking up to 4 days to peak. Please stay home with symptoms and test again in 2-4 days after the initial onset of symptoms if your first test was negative.
Please note that, unlike many other respiratory infections (such as the flu), the viral load for COVID-19 infections usually peaks on the fourth day of symptoms. This can affect early test results and/or when symptoms and/or when symptoms are most severe. Knowing one is infected early during self-isolation enables (a) earlier access to treatment options, if indicated (especially for those who may be at risk for severe illness), and (b) notification of exposed persons (close contacts) who may also benefit by knowing if they are infected. If symptoms continue, test again in 2-4 days while remaining off campus.
If not tested, it is recommended to continue isolating for 5 days after the day of symptom onset (Day 0) and not return to campus until Day 6 and symptom-free or nearly symptom-free.
Q: WHAT MUST I DO IF I HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT TO SOMEONE WITH COVID-19?
If you were exposed to COVID-19 in one of your classes, you'll get an email from the College with specific instructions about what to do. If you have questions about receiving this notice, please contact Manager, COVID-19 Response & Compliance, Krista Kaschalk at krkascha@cabrillo.edu or 831-477-3274; 831-234-5804.
Close Contact Definition: If you shared the same indoor airspace with someone (e.g., home, office, classroom, building area, clinic waiting room, airplane, etc.) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes) during an infected person's (laboratory-confirmed or a clinical diagnosis) infectious period- you are considered a Close-Contact.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should mask and test right away. It is recommended to stay home while waiting for test results. You can still have COVID-19 and be infectious if you are testing negative at your initial onset of symptoms because it can take 2-4 days after symptoms begin for a test to result as positive. This is due to the viral load for COVID-19 infections usually taking up to 4 days to peak. Please stay home with symptoms and test again in 2-4 days after the initial onset of symptoms if your first test was negative.
If you do not have symptoms, and are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection and would benefit from treatment, you should test within 5 days.
If you do not have symptoms and have contact with people who are at higher risk for severe infection, you should mask indoors when around them for 10 days. Consider testing within 5 days after the last exposure date (Day 0) and before contact with higher-risk people.
If you do not have symptoms it is no longer required to test.
Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms twice daily for 14 days after exposure.
If you develop symptoms, you should seek testing ASAP and will be required to self-isolate.
If someone in your household has tested positive, there are specific recommendations for this situation. Please the FAQ what must I do if someone in my household has tested positive for COVID-19 below.
Q: If I WAS EXPOSED TO AN INFECTED PERSON IN MY HOME DO I NEED TO QUARANTINE OR BE EXCLUDED FROM WORK OR SCHOOL?
According to the CDC close contacts who do not have symptoms do not need to quarantine or be excluded from work (or school) after exposure to an infected household member. However, in this situation you are considered a high-risk contact with a much higher likelihood of infection and should more carefully follow all the recommended actions in the guidance, including getting tested if recommended (based on symptoms or risk of serious disease) and wearing a well-fitting mask indoors around others who may be at high-risk of serious disease, and around your household member with COVID-19.
Q: WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH AN INFECTED HOUSEHOLD MEMBER?
An infected person who cannot separate from others in the home should mask when around others indoors for 10 days (or until the person has two sequential negative tests at least one day apart), AND
Household contacts without symptoms should:
Mask in the home to protect themselves when not separated from the infected person for 10 days
Mask when indoors around uninfected people who are at higher risk for severe infection for 10 days
Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I EXPERIENCE COVID-19 REBOUND, WHETHER IT OCCURS WITH OR WITHOUT ANTIVIRAL MEDICINE TREATMENT?
For COVID-19 rebound (characterized by a recurrence of symptoms or a new positive viral test after having tested negative), you should re-isolate and follow the recommended actions of isolation guidance.
Q: WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF IF I HAVE A HIGHER RISK FOR SEVERE COVID-19?
Similar to other respiratory infections, take preventative measures to keep yourself safe when respiratory infections are circulating in the community. Stay up to date on recommended vaccines and talk with a healthcare provider about how best to protect yourself from severe illness. Consider wearing the most protective mask that fits well and that you will wear consistently when in indoor public spaces and on public transportation. The most protective masks are NIOSH-approved N95 respirators. KN95 and KN94 respirators can also offer good protection but are not as protective as N95s. Even if you are the only one wearing respiratory protection, it can still be protective.
Find more answers to your COVID-19 Isolation questions at the CDC Website
Effective January 9, 2024, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends the following actions to align with common practice of other respiratory viruses. These actions outline what to do when an individual tests positive for COVID-19 and how to protect others, including the most vulnerable in the community.
Recommendations for people who test positive
Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms, until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication AND other COVID-19 symptoms are mild and improving.
Follow the recommendations below to reduce exposure to others.
Mask when you are around other people indoors for the 10 days* after you become sick or test positive (if no symptoms). You may remove your mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. Day 0 is symptom onset date or positive test date.
Avoid contact with people at higher-risk for severe COVID-19 for 10 days*. Higher-risk individuals include the elderly, those who live in congregate care facilities, those who have immunocompromising conditions, and that put them at higher risk for serious illness.
Seek treatment. If you have symptoms, particularly if you are at higher risk for severe COVID-19, speak with a healthcare provider as soon as you test positive. You may be eligible for antiviral medicines or other treatments for COVID-19. COVID-19 antiviral medicines work best if taken as soon as possible, and within 5-7 days from when symptoms start.
*The potential infectious period is 2 days before the date of symptoms began or the positive test date (if no symptoms) through Day 10. (Day 0 is the symptom onset date or positive test date).
Recommendation for close contacts of cases
If you have new COVID-19 symptoms, you should test and mask right away.
If you do not have symptoms, and are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection and would benefit from treatment, you should test within 5 days.
If you do not have symptoms and have contact with people who are at higher risk for severe infection, you should mask indoors when around such people for 10 days. Consider testing within 5 days after the last exposure date (Day 0) and before contact with higher-risk people.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-19-Isolation-Guidance.aspx#
Effective January 9, 2024, CDPH (California Department of Health) has adopted the following definition of "infectious period," which now applies to the COVID-19 Prevention regulations:
For COVID-19 cases with symptoms, it is a minimum of 24 hours from the day of symptom onset. COVID-19 cases may return if 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and their symptoms are mild and improving, OR
For COVID-19 cases with no symptoms, there is no infectious period for the purpose of isolation or exclusion. If symptoms develop, the criteria above will apply.
https://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/Coronavirus/Covid-19-NE-Reg-FAQs.html#definitions
The potential infectious period is 2 days before symptoms began or the positive test date (if no symptoms) through 10 days after symptoms began or testing positive.
Cabrillo College is a mask-friendly environment. Wearing a high-quality mask along with immunization, self-testing, and physical distancing helps protect yourself and others by reducing the chance of spreading COVID-19. Please respect the choices of others.
Face coverings are still required indoors on campus under certain circumstances such as:
For those who have returned from international travel within the last 7 days
At Student Health Services under certain circumstances
Updated masking recommendations from the California Department of Public Health for those who test positive, effective January 9, 2024:
If you become sick or test positive (without symptoms): Mask when you are around other people indoors for the 10 days after you become sick or test positive (if no symptoms). You may remove your mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. Day Zero is symptom onset date or positive test date (whichever came first).
Employees: Request N95 respirators and disposable surgical masks for your area through FPPO by submitting a work order.
Students: Request a mask from your instructor or from Student Health Services or the Watsonville Student Resource Center.
Free Rapid Antigen self-test kits are available to students at Student Health Services.
If you are an employee and you have been recently exposed on campus you may also obtain free Rapid Antigen test kits from the COVID-19 Response and Compliance team at krkascha@cabrillo.edu or 831-234-5804 in Human Resources.
You can still use an expired Rapid Antigen test as long as the Control (C) Line activates and the test has been stored at room temperature.
Inspire Medical Group Important Updates:
Inspire will no longer be providing testing services on the Aptos campus after December 7, 2023. Their last day providing testing services on campus will be December 7, 2023.
As of November 11, 2023, the Public Health Emergency status has expired.
For Employees with SISC Kaiser Permanente and Blue Shield HMO Insurance Coverage:
As part of the end of the Federal Public Health Emergency, the following changes are effective November 12, 2023:
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations will no longer be covered out-of-network.
SISC Blue Shield PPO plan out-of-network coverage previously ended in May 2023
For questions about your benefits, please contact Margie Casillas, HR Benefits Analyst, at macasill@cabrillo.edu.
Other Places to Find COVID-19 Testing
COVIDTests.gov is offering At-Home COVID-19 Tests. Limit of 1 order per residential address. Each order contains 4 individual tests shipped in 1 package. You can also call 1-800-232-0233
The U.S. government will continue to make COVID-19 tests available to uninsured individuals and underserved communities through existing outreach programs. Please contact a HRSA health center, Test to Treat site, or ICATT location near you to learn how to access low- or no-cost COVID-19 tests provided by the federal government.
To align with COVID-19 Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education, and because it presents an inequitable barrier to entry for students, Cabrillo College has removed the vaccination mandate for students, faculty, and staff (effective spring semester 2023). Cabrillo College continues to strongly encourage vaccination against COVID-19 for all students, faculty, and staff. Information on current vaccine recommendations can be found at the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccines page
Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations are Now Available (9/12/23)
Inspire Diagnostics no longer provides vaccination services in Santa Cruz County as of August 2023.
The Bridge Access Program provides free COVID-19 boosters to Uninsured Individuals
A limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine will be made available through the Bridge Access Program for uninsured and underinsured adults (19 years and older). Insured patients, including patients covered by Medicare and Medi-Cal - are NOT eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines provided through this program. This temporary program will sunset at the end of 2024. Please contact Student Health Services for more information.
Find a local appointment for a vaccine:
Check the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency Vaccine Webpage
Need a ride? Lyft is offering free transportation to vaccine appointments.
Homebound and need a vaccine? Please complete this survey to help Public Health in planning for homebound vaccination efforts for individuals who are uninsured/underinsured. Not sure if your insurance is covered? Click here for information of Bridge Access Program Eligibility.
The CDC has easy-to-follow guidelines for which vaccines and boosters are recommended for each age group, as well as for people who are immunocompromised and an interactive tool to determine if you’re up to date on COVID vaccines.
Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations are Now Available (9/12/23)
COVID-19 vaccines help your body develop protection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Although vaccinated people sometimes get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines significantly lowers the risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19. It is recommended that everyone who is eligible get a booster and stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.
Medications to treat COVID-19 are free, widely available, and effective for stopping COVID-19 illness from getting serious. Everyone 12 years and older who has symptoms and tests positive for COVID-19 should ask a doctor about treatment. See COVID19.CA.GOV for more information, including:
Find a Doctor Near You- Telehealth Appointments- Book Online (Sesame Care)
Thank you Inspire Diagnostics!
What do you do to stay safe and protect others from COVID-19?
Uninsured? Have Medi-Cal, but no regular doctor? Medi-Nurse can help. California has launched an advice line than can connect you with a nurse, day or night, to talk about COVID-19 symptoms and help connect you with local resources in your area.
Call the Medi-Nurse Line: (877) 409-9052
California Department of Managed Health Care- COVID-19 Fact Sheet
CA Notify- Free, easy to use, accessible, and privacy preserving exposure notification technology that can help stop the spread of COVID-19
CDC's COVID-19 Hospital Admission Levels by County
Health Equity means the attainment of the highest level of health for all people, where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their optimal health regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, preferred language, or other factors that affect access to care and health outcomes (CMS.gov).
The Cabrillo College COVID-19 Response & Compliance team is working to advance health equity by designing and implementing outreach initiatives to support health for all the people served by our COVID-19 prevention programs and to eliminate disparities in health care quality and access.
