General
Staying Home if Experiencing Symptoms:
If a community member is experiencing any of the below symptoms per CDC and county guidelines, it is imperative to stay home:
- Fever of 100℉ 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
If a community member is experiencing any of the above symptoms it is recommended, per CDC and County guidelines, to stay home and get tested as soon as possible.
Hand Washing and Sanitation:
Wash hands with soap and water often and for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available.
Sanitize all personal items (phone, keys, cards, laptop, bags, etc.) and high-touch surfaces in your living space (desk, door knobs, counters, common appliances, etc.) often.
Students
Students will have access to counselors through telehealth and in person based on student need and county guidance. Our counselors have all been trained to offer the highest quality services via telehealth. Visit the Counseling Center website to learn more.
The easiest way to schedule a counseling appointment is by visiting the online USD MyWellness Portal and using your USD MySanDiego username and password to login to the portal. This portal can be accessed via any computer or smartphone that offers access to the internet. *Please note that online scheduling is for first time clients only. For returning clients, or for students experiencing difficulty scheduling initial appointments online, please call the Counseling Center office at (619) 260-4655 to schedule an appointment.
A counselor is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week by calling (619) 260-4655, press 1 for urgent concerns.
There are many online mental health resources available to students. Please take some time reviewing the different options to find what works best for you.
The Be Well USD website has resources available online to support mental health while navigating the remote learning experience.
Students can access Mental Well-being for Students, an online program to help equip students with essential skills and information to navigate some of the primary stressors and emotional challenges associated with college life. Learn more at the Center for Health and Wellness Promotion website.
If you have coverage under the Student Health Insurance Plan provided by Aetna, you can access the online mental health platform Silver Cloud where you can learn more about mental health and coping skills. https://gsh.silvercloudhealth.com/onboard/gsh/
Students with disabilities need to provide current documentation of their disability on their provider’s letterhead. Please review the DLDRC Student FAQ for more information.
All full-time students are subject to the Student Health Insurance Requirement. If you are enrolled in full-time units you are eligible to enroll to have coverage. If you are temporarily remote learning due to COVID-19, you are still subject to the Student Health Insurance Requirement and need to either enroll or waive.
Please review the Student Health Insurance Requirement website for more information about eligibility.
Students currently enrolled in the USD Student Health Plan (SHIP) need a referral from USD to see an in-network preferred provider for the deductible to be waived. This applies to both Domestic and International students enrolled in the USD SHIP.
To ensure students receive the medical care needed, the Student Health Center (SHC) has adjusted services to align with current CDC recommendations. In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 on campus and support the well-being of the USD community, we will work quickly to support all students’ medical care.
- The SHC will screen all patients by telephone for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to coming into the health center.
- Students with non-respiratory concerns will be supported by telehealth whenever possible.
- All students who visit the SHC will need to wear a face covering. Patients with respiratory symptoms will be kept separated from non-respiratory patients by scheduling times and utilizing different entrances and areas of the health center.
- If the SHC is experiencing a surge of patients with respiratory symptoms, individuals with non-respiratory concerns may be asked to work with an off-campus provider for care during these times.
Some telehealth and in-person appointments will be available for web-booking on the MyWellness portal. If you are unable to book an appointment online, you should call the SHC at 619-260-4595 so that we can determine how to best assist you. In an effort to reduce in-person contact, some visits may be conducted by telehealth only. Patients will be scheduled for a telehealth appointment done by phone or video. If the SHC is able to accommodate an in-person visit, patients will be scheduled for this separate from respiratory care hours.
Students at high risk should actively try to reduce interactions with others. Connect with your medical provider who manages your condition to determine the best option for you. Specifically discuss your living and learning environments. Also, discuss with your provider a plan for if you do get sick. This may include establishing care with a new specialist in San Diego that can help manage your care while you are away from home. Please review the CDC website for other recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html#Actions
Submit your immunization information to the Student Health Center. Registration holds are applied until this information is provided. Learn how to submit your information.
Testing
If you live on campus, and are experiencing symptoms, contact the SHC to arrange for COVID-19 testing or schedule online.
- If you are experiencing symptoms, it is important to self-isolate until the SHC opens and you can be given medical and testing advice.
- Notify your RA or residential life if you are experiencing symptoms and waiting to be evaluated or testing and need to be in isolation.
If you live off-campus and are experiencing symptoms, it is important to self-isolate. COVID testing can be obtained on or off campus.
If you have been tested off campus email your results to ContactTracing@sandiego.edu.
The majority of cases of COVID-19 are mild and many are able to stay home as they get better under self isolation.
- Even if your symptoms are mild, you should still get tested (pending supply availability and public health guidelines).
- Even if you don’t get tested, or while you are waiting for test results, you need to isolate yourself.
For more information:
- 10 Things You Can Do to Manage COVID-19 at Home
- What to Do If You Are Sick
- List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
- Symptoms of Coronavirus
- Home Isolation Instructions for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
There are many local off-campus sites also available.
- For a list of free testing sites by the State and County visit or call San Diego County at 2-1-1 or State of California at (888) 634-1123.
- Kaiser Permanente has telehealth visits available to its members.
Flu Vaccines
Flu shots are currently available to students through the Student Health Center (SHC) at no cost thanks to the support of Associated Student Government. Students can call to make an appointment. For information on flu vaccines, see the SHC website.
The university works closely with County Health officials to take the necessary steps to protect our community. When a positive COVID-19 case is confirmed from an individual associated with the campus, County Health officials will provide information to those who were in contact with the individual while also respecting the privacy of the patient under HIPAA regulations.
There are specific requirements for those traveling from outside of the country to the US. Please refer to the CDC's guidance on the requirements.
Parents and Families
Students have access to the following Student Wellness resources on campus:
- Center for Health and Wellness (Mental Well-Being and Health Promotion)
- Student Health Center (Medical Care)
- Disability and Learning Difference Resource Center (Support for Learning Differences or Disabilities)
- Counseling Center (Mental Well-Being & Urgent Mental Health concerns)
Employees
If you are sick, USD students, faculty, staff, and administrators should stay home, rest, and practice social distancing. Those who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and to practice social isolation.
Even when on the road to recovery, you are encouraged to stay home and practice social distancing until you are free of fever (100.4oF/37.8oC or greater), signs of a fever, or any other symptoms for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicine, such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or cough suppressant.
If an employee needs to report an illness, discuss any specific arrangements that may be needed, or has any questions or concerns, please contact the Employee Relations team in Human Resources at 619-260-4594.
The CDC has information to help faculty, staff, students, and their families understand COVID-19 and additional steps they can take to protect themselves:
- How to protect yourself and others
- What to do if you are sick with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Stop the spread of germs – help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19
- Share facts about COVID-19 to help prevent stigma
It is our hope that during this health emergency, all members of the USD community will act with compassion and seek to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and respect. It is important that we work together to maintain a supportive and inclusive community as we learn more about how to support the overall well-being of our Torero family.
Kaiser
Visit kp.org for the latest updates and health and safety information. Kaiser is also offering many of its services via telehealth so you can connect with a provider from the comfort of your home. To learn more and see how you can make an appointment, check out this flyer.
Kaiser is also providing its members with access to two evidence-based self-care apps at no cost:
- Calm: Use meditation and mindfulness to help lower stress, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality.
- myStrength: Use personalized interactive programs to help improve awareness, change behaviors, lower stress, reduce anxiety, manage depression and insomnia, and more.
- Please view this flyer to learn how to take advantage of these powerful resources.
Cigna
Visit cigna.com for the latest updates and resources.
You can also call Cigna's 24-hour toll-free helpline at 1-866-912-1687 to speak with someone directly. You do not need to be enrolled in Cigna's medical coverage to use the toll-free helpline. This resource is open to anyone who has questions or needs support or guidance during this time.
Cigna Virtual Dental Care
If you need urgent dental care and you're unable to reach your regular provider, Cigna dental customers can now consult with a dentist through a video call. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To learn more, see the flyer or log into your myCigna.com account.
SIMNSA
Visit https://simnsaprevencion.com/ for updates and information. Visited https://simnsaprevencion.com/ para obtener actualizaciones e información.
Simnsa is now offering telehealth services for its members. View this flyer to learn more.
Health Advocate
Get support with benefits questions, claims assistance, or help finding resources in the community. Call 866-695-8622 or email answers@healthadvocate.
Prescription Reminders
- Most over-the-counter medications are now FSA and HSA eligible!
- If you take an ongoing medication, you may be able to skip the line at the pharmacy and sign up for mail-order delivery! To learn more, check out the attached flyers in English and in Spanish.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a benefit that is designed to help employees and their families handle personal problems. This program provides confidential problem assessment, and in many cases, referral for a specific course of treatment.
To access the program directly, employees or their immediate family members may call the EAP at 1-800-342-8111 and indicate that they are covered by the University of San Diego. You may also visit their online website.
Website: resourcesforliving.com
Login ID: USD
Password: eap
Staying active while sheltering-at-home can be difficult, but we've got some ideas for how it can be done! Check them out below:
- Mindful.org offers mindfulness meditation practices and research.
- Stop, Breathe, and Think is a meditation app available on iPhone and Android.
Be Well USD
Student Health & Wellness
The health and wellness of our community is the responsibility of everyone at USD. We're here to help you make the most of the student experience at USD.