Covid-19 Information and Resources
These requirements apply to students and employees regardless of vaccination status, previous infections, or lack of symptoms.
If you have been in the same room or vehicle as someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, you should take precautions to protect others. In larger spaces (such as a warehouse or open plan office of more than 400,000 cubic feet per floor), you should take precautions if you were within six feet of a person with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
Everyone who has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should:
- Watch for symptoms.
- If you develop any 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 your last exposure date and before contact with people who are at higher risk for severe illness.
- Wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days following your last exposure. This means avoiding situations where you would need to remove your mask around others, such as eating at a restaurant. It is especially critical in indoor settings and when near those at higher risk for severe COVID-19.
- If you test positive, isolate.
In addition, you may choose to temporarily avoid contact with people at higher risk of severe illness, to protect them from possible exposure.
If a person develops symptoms, they may not come to campus while waiting for test results.
Employees must report close contact exposures to Human Resources at hr@cuesta.edu.
Visit the County of San Luis Obispo COVID-19 Testing page for current information on testing.
Employees must report a positive COVID-19 test to Human Resources at hr@cuesta.edu within 24-hours of testing positive.
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO ISOLATE?
If you have COVID-19, you must isolate yourself away from others even if you have been vaccinated or have been infected before.
Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Do not go to school, work, church, stores, or social get-togethers. Do not travel on public transportation. Do not leave isolation except to get medical care, and do not have any visitors.
Isolation can end when you’ve had:
- No fever for the last 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine (like Tylenol or Ibuprofen); AND
- No symptoms are present, or symptoms are mild and improving.
A negative test is no longer required to end isolation before 10 days, as long as you meet the above criteria. You need to wear a mask for 5 full days.
Wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask around others, both indoors and outdoors, for a total of 5 days. This includes after you leave isolation.
If you live with others, separate yourself as much as possible.
Avoid contact with people at higher-risk for severe COVID-19 for 10 days*. This includes after you leave isolation.
Seek treatment. Treatment for COVID-19 is widely available, often at low or no cost. It is most effective when started in the first few days of illness, so it is important to notify your doctor as soon as possible after you test positive. If you are unable to reach your regular doctor within 24 hours, you may talk with a telehealth provider for free: visit https://sesamecare.com/covidca or call 833-686-5051. If appropriate, this provider can prescribe COVID-19 treatment to pick up at a pharmacy. This program (including appointment and medication) is free of charge and does not require health insurance.
Care for symptoms. Whether or not you take prescription medicine to treat COVID-19, you can address symptoms at home by resting and drinking plenty of fluids. You can take over-the-counter medications (like Tylenol or Ibuprofen) as directed on the bottle to provide relief from fever and pain. See guidance from the CDC for steps to take when you are sick with COVID-19.
Monitor your health and seek emergency care if needed. For many people, COVID-19 illness does not require emergency medical attention, but if you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing, chest pressure or severe confusion), seek emergency medical care immediately.
If you have a fever, continue to isolate until 24 hours after your fever resolves. If you have symptoms other than fever, continue to isolate until symptoms are mild and improving.
A small number of people who recover from COVID-19 may experience “COVID-19 rebound” in which symptoms return and you test positive again, after testing negative. If you experience this rebound, you should re-start your isolation and contact your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns. If you do not have a regular health care provider, you may contact the Public Health Department at (805) 781-5500 with your questions.
Campus Access COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire
- Do you have a fever (over 100.4 F) without fever reducing medications or feeling feverish (chills, sweating)?
- Do you have a new cough (for those with allergies/asthma, a change in cough from baseline)?
- Are you experiencing difficulty breathing?
- Do you have a sore throat?
- Are you experiencing muscle aches or body aches?
- Do you have vomiting or diarrhea?
- Are you experiencing a new loss of taste or smell?
- Do you have a new onset of severe headache, especially with fever?
- Have you been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are you currently under orders to self-isolate or quarantine by a medical professional or a local public health official?
If you answer yes to any of the above, do not return to campus.
For more information, review the "what do I do if I test positive" section above.
Employees should contact Human Resources at hr@cuesta.edu or (805) 546-3129.
Students should contact their primary care provider or Student Health Center at studenthealthcenter@cuesta.edu or (805) 546-3171.