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:
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:
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 10 full days.
Wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask around others, both indoors and outdoors, for a total of 10 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 improving or until after Day 10.
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 and ask to speak with a specialist.
Campus Access COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire
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.
Archive of COVID-19 Communications 2020-2022