COVID-19 / Coronavirus Information

The novel coronavirus is a virus identified as the cause of respiratory illness first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The virus causing COVID-19 can cause mild-to-severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. 

Researchers believe COVID-19 spreads the way other respiratory viruses do – through the droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, etc. A person catches the virus when these infected droplets enter their nose, mouth or eyes, either directly or through contaminated hands. Researchers also believe a person can spread COVID-19 even before showing symptoms.

People may be sick with the virus for 1 to 14 days before developing symptoms. As recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as regional health officers, it is critical to maintain vigilance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  In accordance with the current stay at home order, individuals:

• Should only go out to conduct essential work and access essential services.
• Maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet from any other person.
• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your face.
• It is essential to limit any outside contact should you or anyone in your house exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms.

To avoid not only COVID-19 but also the flu and common cold, the CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, tables, light switches) with a disinfectant. In addition, avoid close contact with someone who is sick from a respiratory illness.

The CDC recommends the following actions to help slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
• Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
• Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

The CDC offers a wealth of information about the vaccine including possible side effects, frequently asked questions, and how to separate facts from myths – Your COVID Vaccine.

If you lose your vaccination card (proof of vaccine), contact the provider of your vaccine and request a replacement. Those vaccinated through a CSUSB sponsored clinic can take their ID to any Rite Aid store and request a replacement/proof of vaccine.

Campus and departmental repopulation plans are currently being developed in anticipation of in-person operations beginning in July.  Until then, please contact your MPP or submit a Service Request to Risk Management to ensure you are following the proper procedures for coming on to campus.

Required Training – “Returning to Campus During COVID-19”

• Training in CSULearning Bridge for Students
• Training in CSULearn for Faculty, Staff, and Student Assistants 

Daily Health Screen – ALL Faculty, Students, and Staff must complete the Health Screen Survey each day they come to campus.

Pursuant to guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local health officials, all members and guests of the CSUSB community who are on campus property are required to always wear a face covering over their nose and mouth. This includes any indoor space on campus, including lobbies, hallways, bathrooms, break rooms, and any open office space with multiple workstations, even if there are no other individuals present. Face coverings are also required in any outdoor space on campus where there is a potential to encounter another individual.

Face coverings help to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but they should be the last line of defense. Other preventive measures, including frequent hand washing, social distancing of six feet or greater, and minimizing the duration of contact time with others, need to be maintained even while wearing a face covering.

What is an acceptable face covering?

A cloth covering over the face and mouth, which can include a purchased or homemade mask, scarf, bandana, gaiter, or handkerchief. Please do not seek to acquire N95 masks, as they should be preserved for medical professionals and first responders.

Additional CDC guidance on the “Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19” is available online. This guidance discusses wearing, cleaning and removing face coverings, as noted above. This document also has instructions on how to make your own face covering.

What are the expectations on how to properly wear a face covering?

• The face covering should always cover both the nose and mouth. Wearing the face covering in a manner that leaves either the nose or mouth exposed is not in compliance with this requirement.
• If you are reusing the face covering during the day, take care to ensure you are using the same side of the covering toward your face.
• Face coverings should be changed if they become wet, soiled, or compromised in some fashion.
• Face coverings should be washed daily if they have been exposed to the public.

Are there exceptions to the face covering requirement?

• Anyone in an indoor area of complete isolation (i.e., private office, lab space, residence hall apartment/room) with the office/lab/resident hall unit door closed and do not expect other individuals to come into the room, may remove their face covering when inside. However, when you leave your office/lab/residence hall unit and proceed into an office common area or hallway (even if there are no other individuals present), you must wear your face covering.
• Anyone driving alone in a vehicle or cart on campus, with no passengers in the vehicle, and the vehicle is not used by anyone else, may remove their face covering while driving. However, a face covering is required if the vehicle or cart is used by others, or if there are other passengers.

A face covering must always be immediately available, even when in an area that is a stated exception to the requirement.

Will face coverings be provided?

For employees required to work on campus, face coverings have already been provided by the appropriate supervisor. Please contact your supervisor if you require a replacement.  CSUSB will strive to provide face coverings to employees upon request, based on availability.

It is our shared responsibility to take the appropriate mitigation steps to prevent community spread of COVID-19, doing our part to create a safe campus environment. Students and employees are always expected to comply to this requirement while on campus. Employees not adhering to these instructions will receive corrective action by the appropriate supervisor. Students will be referred to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for appropriate disciplinary action.

This face covering requirement is in effect until amended and applies to both the San Bernardino and Palm Desert Campuses.

Students – Report all students who test positive for COVID-19 to the campus Infectious Disease Response Team overseen by the Student Health Center. Student assistants are required to complete the COVID-19 Reporting Tool for risk management and email the IDRT@csusb.edu to report a test result.

Employees – Report all faculty, staff, auxiliary employee, and student assistant COVID-19 confirmed cases and exposures in the confidential COVID-19 Reporting Tool. Those who self-report must follow regular departmental procedures for being absent from work.

Yes. This creates a record and allows campus officials to determine whether any follow up needs to take place.

The CDC has distributed test kits to state health departments to determine if a person has the virus that causes COVID-19. At present, testing is not available at the CSUSB Student Health Center.

The following items are recommended to have in the home:

• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants, anti-diarrheal medication and cough drops
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Thermometer
• Facial tissues
• Face masks – to be used only if you or someone at home is sick
• A 30-day supply of non-perishable food staples such as canned or instant soups (look for low sodium), canned fruit, canned tuna, etc.
• Decaffeinated tea
• Heat or ice packs
• Toilet paper
• Blankets
• Laundry detergent
• Household cleaners
• Paper towels
• Soap
• Your health care provider’s phone number
• Diapers, baby food if you have small children

• The University has plans for managing illness should it affect our campuses. University leadership is actively engaged in making preparations on an ongoing basis.
• The University is in close contact with the county and state departments of public health for up-to-date information on the status of COVID-19 within our region.
• Check the CSUSB COVID-19 website for the latest University-Issued Statements on Coronavirus.

CSUSB now supports a 10-day quarantine for those who have experienced a close contact exposure to COVID-19 (within 6 feet, for more than 15 minutes over a 24-hour period with an infected person).  Those who are fully vaccinated and are not displaying COVID-19-like symptoms do not need to quarantine.  However, if fully vaccinated and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, get tested and quarantine until you receive the result.

Commencing on or after June 1, 2021, CSUSB will resume limited review and approvals of faculty and staff business travel that includes air flights and/or overnight hotel stays. Local essential travel that does not include overnight stays remains at the discretion of appropriate administrators. You can learn more by reading the complete official notification – CSUSB to Restart Limited Faculty and Staff Business Travel.

The University is committed to helping students continue their academic progress. It is also dedicated to assisting faculty and staff in their endeavors to maintain CSUSB’s educational mission.

• Use the Resources for Virtual Learning, Teaching, and Working web page for support services and updated information on available resources.
• The Technology Support Center is available 24-7 at (909) 537-7677, support@csusb.edu and on the ITS Support website.
• Additional details and contact information are available on the CSUSB COVID-19 website.