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.

The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, the flu and other respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Check with your healthcare provider whether obtaining the influenza vaccine is advisable for you.

Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a stay at home order to protect the health and well-being of all Californians and to establish consistency across the state in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. There is presently no end date to the order.

The University has restricted access to the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses to all but those employees designated as essential personnel. Students, faculty and those staff members not designated as essential should not to come to either campus until officially notified the stay at home order has been lifted.

• For those students without available Internet access, a curated list of resources is available online. This includes parking areas on both campuses that have WiFi coverage. Because there are a limited supply of mobile hotspots, those using one of the parking lots for Internet access are asked to fill out the mobile hotspot request form. Those utilizing parking lot Internet access are advised to remain in their vehicles at all times in order to maintain physical distancing protocols of at least 6 feet from any other person.

Students, faculty and staff concerned about their health are urged to contact their primary care physician or health care provider for support, attention, testing and treatment.

• Students who test positive for COVID-19 should contact Beth Jaworski, assistant vice president for Student Services, at (909) 537-5185.
• Faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should contact their supervisor and provide appropriate details, including the most recent date of being on campus.

If you have recently returned from travel – statewide, nationally or internationally, or have had contact with someone known to have COVID-19, and are experiencing respiratory symptoms, contact your primary care physician or health care provider’s office.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, tiredness, and dry cough. If you feel sick:

• Stay home and away from others in the household.
• Avoid contact with others and do not travel while sick.
• Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or a sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean hands immediately after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%-95% alcohol. Soap and water should always be used if hands are visibly dirty.
• Monitor your symptoms closely.
• Periodically take your temperature if you believe you have a fever.
• If you will be absent – Students should notify their instructors; Employees should notify their supervisor.
• Be especially careful around infants and small children as well as individuals who have chronic illness, compromised immune systems and/or are over the age of 65.
• Take care of yourself. Rest as much as possible and drink lots of fluids.
• If possible, call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room and inform them about your symptoms.
• As with any medical emergency, call 911.

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.

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.

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 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.

Starting March 11, 2020, university-related travel for faculty, staff, and students was suspended across all campuses of the California State University (CSU). The CSU announced an a system-wide extension to employee travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the CSU budget reductions through June 30, 2021. Essential travel may be considered for approval. This revised extension date is subject to revision or extension as both the COVID-19 outbreak and in its financial impacts on all campuses continue to change.

For more information read the June 29, 2020 message related to Faculty-Staff Travel Restrictions and the original March 11, 2020 message related to COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Cancellations for Faculty, Staff, and Study Abroad Programs.

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.