To stay informed about the COVID-19 vaccine in SLO County:

• Visit our County's vaccine website to schedule your vaccine
• Read about the leading vaccines here
• Subscribe to the County’s COVID-19 email updates
• Follow the Public Health Department on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
• Regularly check our vaccine page
• Call the Public Health Information Line at (805) 788-2903

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person and is very contagious. Currently, the Omicron variant is the prominent strain in the US and has shown to be even more contagious than prior strains.

The more a person interacts with others, especially when they are unvaccinated, and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread in the community. Risk is also affected by factors such as background rates of infection in the community and compliance with mitigation strategies. The COVID-19 vaccines are very effective in preventing symptomatic infections. Studies show they prevent 90%-98% of hospitalizations and deaths and they reduce transmission of all variants. If you are eligible for a booster, you should receive it as soon as possible, since breakthrough infections are on the rise. Read more about boosters HERE.

Unvaccinated persons are more likely to get infected, have serious illness, and spread the virus.

There are several important measures to slow the spread: COVID-19 vaccines are the MOST important! If you are unvaccinated: continue to wear a mask while indoors and outside if you are unable to maintain distancing and avoid large crowds and poorly ventilated areas. At Cuesta, all students and employees must continue to wear a mask indoors regardless of vaccine status.  Also, if you come in close contact with a known positive Covid-19 case or travel out of state, get tested! It is best to test 3-5 days after your last known exposure and if you are unvaccinated begin your quarantine period immediately. Click here for quarantine guidelines.

Refer to our Safe Reopening Plan for details about returning to campus.

COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact between people (within about 6 feet). People who are infected, but do not show symptoms, can spread the virus to others, which makes the virus spread easily.

When people with COVID-19 cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe they produce respiratory droplets. Infections occur mainly through exposure to respiratory droplets, when a person is in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 and is unvaccinated. Immunity following vaccination may decrease over time, so getting a booster is an important protective step if you have been previously vaccinated and are eligible for a booster. Some infections can be spread by exposure to the virus in small droplets and particles that linger in the air, called airborne transmission. Good ventilation and taking precautions when engaging in higher risk activities (like exercise, singing, and some musical instruments) will improve the spread from airborne transmission. Less commonly, it may spread from contact with contaminated surfaces. Learn what is known about how COVID-19 spreads

Symptoms

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. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 (and should get tested and isolate):

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. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

Coronavirus Self-Checker: A tool to help you make decisions

People infected with COVID-19 should receive supportive care AT HOME to help relieve symptoms unless their condition worsens and they need to seek medical care outside of their home. 

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Treatments a provider might recommend: Click Here to learn more.

Paxlovid™ (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) has now received emergency use authorization (EUA) for treating individuals with mild to moderate symptomatic COVID-19 who are at high risk for progression to severe disease. This is the first treatment for COVID-19 that is in the form of a pill that is taken orally.

The EUA is based on clinical data showing Paxlovid reduced risk of hospitalization or death by 88% when initiated within five days of symptom onset compared to placebo. Paxlovid is available by prescription only and should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 (within five days of symptom onset).  

Paxlovid is not authorized for initiation of treatment in patients requiring hospitalization due to severe or critical COVID-19 and is not authorized for use as pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is allocating the limited supply of Paxlovid to states on an ongoing basis; the initial supply is expected to be very limited, with approximately 6,000 doses allocated for the entire state of California and only 20 initial doses for SLO County.

Supply is expected to increase gradually in the weeks ahead. The Public Health Department will provide an update to health care providers as supply increases. 

When supplies are limited, patients at highest risk of severe disease should be prioritized. Cuesta College does not offer treatment for COVID-19. Contact your medical provider.

Other Therapies: Monoclonal Antibodies, Evusheld and Molnupiravir 

Monoclonal antibodies remain effective and in adequate supply in SLO County. Patients may visit www.slopublichealth.org/othertherapies for information about local medical offices providing monoclonal antibodies.  

Evusheld, the long-acting anti-SARS-COV-2 monoclonal antibody authorized for use as pre-exposure prophylaxis, is available to SLO County residents via referral from health care providers only. Currently, Central Coast Home Health is the only provider of Evusheld for SLO County residents. Providers may refer eligible patients by calling Brandi Colombo at 805-543-2244, extension 747. 

Molnupiravir antiviral medication has also received emergency use authorization for people at high risk for severe illness for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate. This medication is not currently available in SLO County. 

CDC advises that the best way to prevent infection is become vaccinated and get your booster. If you are unable to receive a vaccine, avoid being exposed to the virus. 

Here are everyday actions to help prevent the spread of COVID 19:

• Everyone is eligible for a vaccine. Go to https://myturn.ca.gov/ to schedule your vaccine now. If you were previously vaccinated, you may be eligible for a booster. Get your booster as soon as possible.
• Stay home, get tested, and isolate from others when sick and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home for at least ten days if you are sick. Click here to learn if you are ready to end home isolation.
• If you are unvaccinated:
  • Continue to wear a mask when indoors at public spaces and businesses and outdoors where distancing cannot be maintained. 
  • Social distance, whenever possible.
  • Avoid crowded indoor spaces and ensure indoor spaces are properly ventilated by bringing outdoor air in. 
  • Test regularly. Learn about Cuesta's Vaccine requirement HERE.

• Updates as of December 13, 2021: Adds requirement for universal masking indoors statewide December 15, 2021, through January 15, 2022.

• Masking is required indoors in all Cuesta facilities at this time, regardless of vaccination status.

• CDPH issued new state public health orders on June 11, 2021 which supersede all previous orders. They can be found here.  

• Surveillance testing is available to all asymptomatic students and employees of Cuesta College. See the information at the top.
• People exposed to COVID 19 should be tested 3-5 days after exposure. If you have been exposed and are unvaccinated, follow county quarantine guidelines. Fully vaccinated people who remain asymptomatic do not need to quarantine.
• If you are sick with even mild symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your medical provider. Testing is FREE and available through the state, click here for more information on testing locations and to register.
•  Students may request a telehealth appointment by visiting our virtual lobby, click here. Or contact: studenthealthcenter@cuesta.edu 
• If you are having trouble getting tested or you are not able to register online, please call the County Public Health Department at 805-781-5500. 
• Always isolate at home until you know your results. If you have been exposed and are unvaccinated, get tested 3-5 days after exposure and follow quarantine orders. If you are vaccinated you should test 3-5 days after exposure or after traveling, but you do not need to stay home unless you become symptomatic.

If you test positive for COVID 19, stay home until: 

• Follow the Public Health Directives for SLO County. Click here for isolation guidelines.
• Click Here for guidelines on returning to campus after an illness or exposure to COVID 19

The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and isolating for many people. Gatherings during celebrations or holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. This season, consider how your plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, families, and communities healthy and safe. Click here to learn more

• Visit safe resource websites such as the CDC and recommended resources (see below)
• Keep track of your symptoms
• If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately