1/15: COVID-19 Pop Testing 3.0 update, Trojan Check details and student flu-shot clinics

USC Student Health shares updates regarding COVID-19 testing and Trojan Check clearance for students, faculty and staff needing to access university facilities: The deadline for flu shot compliance, COVID-19 testing and “Hygiene Health and Safety” requirements necessary for valid Trojan Check has been extended until Jan. 22. For COVID-19 testing, if you do not see…

1/8: Important spring testing program and campus access updates

USC Student Health’s Sarah Van Orman provides important updates regarding the COVID-19 situation and spring semester procedures: Students living in off-campus private residences should consider a delayed return to the region until conditions improve. For student or employee access to USC campus facilities including housing, the following are required: The Pop Testing 3.0 program. A…

1/7: Message to the USC community from President Carol L. Folt

As the university prepares for spring new student convocation on Friday, the president addresses Wednesday’s events in Washington, D.C., and the COVID-19 pandemic. She notes there are many support resources available to students, faculty and staff. Read her full message.

1/5: COVID-19 vaccine availability for the USC community

In accordance with government guidelines, USC’s initial vaccines are going to health care workers. The next phase will include essential workers (on-site employees) and faculty, staff and students over age 75 who are permitted to work or study on-site at campus facilities. The time frame and pace of vaccine distribution is not yet known, and…

1/1: President Carol L. Folt stresses importance of adhering to COVID-19 safety measures

The president sends New Year’s greetings to the Trojan Family — especially front-line workers caring for COVID-19 patients and keeping our essential operations open. She also stresses the importance of following all required safety protocols: Students who are returning to off-campus housing should delay their return for several weeks. Employees who have symptoms of COVID-19…

12/31: Travel quarantine and extended ‘Safer at Home’

The “Safer at Home” order affecting Southern California has been extended, and anyone who has traveled outside of the region must quarantine for 10 days upon returning to Los Angeles County. (The region is defined as Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.)…

12/18: USC hospitals’ front-line COVID-19 staff vaccinated

Vaccinations began Thursday at the Health Sciences Campus and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. The university is finalizing its overall vaccination policy and prioritization principles based on governments guidelines, and expects to release them in January. Students, faculty and staff will be strongly urged to get vaccinated as soon as doses become available for their specific…

12/17: Spring semester update to students and parents

USC President Carol L. Folt writes to students and parents with updates on spring semester planning: As previously announced, spring classes will begin remotely on Jan. 15. The university is ready to pivot to hybrid classes once we get the county’s OK. Students planning to return to off-campus residences near USC are urged to delay…

12/14: Spring semester COVID-19 screening strategy, and other reminders

In preparation for the spring semester and the eventual return to normal operations, the university has announced plans to greatly scale up its COVID-19 community surveillance program. Testing capacity for fall 2020 was 5,000 tests per week; for spring 2021, capacity will be expanded to 100,000 per week. Students, faculty and staff — especially those planning to…

12/3: COVID-19 vaccine update

A working group is developing a strategy for vaccinating USC staff, faculty, students and patients, and supporting efforts for the vaccination of the community at large. Issues being tackled include: Determining the most equitable allocation and prioritization of vaccines for the USC community. Evaluating the most effective and secure distribution of vaccines. Working with local…