New COVID Testing, Contact-Tracing, and Isolation Protocols

Hello Oxy Community,

Welcome to the spring semester. We hope you had a wonderful winter break!

With increasing levels of COVID-19 transmission in Los Angeles County, and many of us returning to campus after the holidays, the Oxy COVID Operations Group (COG) is strongly encouraging those with COVID symptoms to test to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We would also like to share the new campus COVID testing, contact-tracing, and isolation guidelines, which go into effect Monday, January 22, 2024.

Student Testing:

COVID testing is available at Emmons Wellness Centerfor all students with symptoms, and students who have been exposed to COVID, based on the guidelines below:

• If you’ve been exposed:

  • Pick up a free at-home COVID test kit from Emmons during open hours, Monday through Friday (9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm).

  • Report your results to Emmons. All at-home test kits include a QR code with instructions to report your results via Google Form. Students are required to report their results, whether positive or negative, using the form.This form also provides Emmons staff with important information for contact-tracing.

• If you are experiencing symptoms:

  • Visit COVID testing walk-in hours at Emmons, Monday-Friday 9 am-11 am, to have a medical provider administer the COVID test.

  • ORpick up an at-home test kit from Emmons during open hours and report your results as explained above.

• If you want to be seen by an Emmons medical provider for your symptoms, you should come to walk-in testing hours, Monday-Friday, 9am-11am. Walk-in appointments will be available on a first-come first-served basis. 

Staff and Faculty Testing:

Beginning Monday, January 22, staff and faculty can pick a free at-home COVID test kit from Human Resources if they were exposed to COVID at work.

• Tests can be picked up from Human Resources Monday-Friday 9 am-4 pm.

• There is no employee testing at Emmons Wellness Center.

• All at-home test kits include a QR code with instructions to report your results via Google Form. Employees are required to report their results on the form, which also provides critical information for contact-tracing.

Reporting Positive COVID Status from Off-Campus Testing:

Students and employees who test positive off-campus still need to report their positive status so we can complete contact-tracing as needed.

• If you’ve tested positive outside of Oxy, please fill out this form.

Testing Resources Off-Campus:

• Most at-home tests can be safely used past the expiration date on the box. For information on how to check home test expiration dates and how to access free COVID-19 tests, visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. 

• Visit the CDC Testing Locator or myturn.ca.gov to find a testing site near you, or to schedule your COVID vaccine

Updated Isolation Guidance:

COVID isolation guidance has changed, and length of isolation will be determined by your symptoms. 

• If you are COVID positive WITH symptoms:

  • Stay home until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication AND your other COVID-19 symptoms are gone or mild and improving.

  • Mask when you are around other people for 10 days after you become sick. You may remove your mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. Day 0 is your symptom onset date or the day you tested positive, whichever came first.

• If you are COVID positive WITHOUT symptoms:

  • Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and have nosymptoms are not required to isolate, but are required to wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask whenever around other people for 10 days following the positive test result.

  • You may remove your mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. Day 0 is your positive test date.

• Emmons and HR do not provide tests for those trying to test negative in order to remove their masks earlier than Day 10. 

As always, Oxy’s policies are subject to change based upon how the pandemic and the public health guidance continue to evolve on and off campus.

If you have any questions about COVID protocols, or about your own COVID-positive status or COVID exposure, please email covidops@oxy.edu, and someone from Emmons will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Thank you,

COVID Operations Group (COG)

Harry J. Elam, Jr., President

Rob Flot, Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students

Amos Himmelstein, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Nora Kahn, General Counsel

Rod Leveque, Vice President for Marketing & Communications

John McCormack, Faculty Council President, Director and Curator of the Moore Laboratory of Zoology & Associate Professor, Biology

Devon Sakamoto, Assistant Dean of Students for Emmons Wellness Center

Wendy Sternberg, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College

James Uhrich, Vice President for Information Technology Services & Chief Information Office