COVID-19 Info & Resources

If you tested POSITIVE for COVID-19 or HAVE COVID-19 symptoms, please complete the Student Reporting Form. 

Please check your student email for further instructions after submission. We do not inform your instructors of your COVID status, but we will send you an isolation timeline that you can forward to your professors.  It is your responsibility to contact your professors and ask for accomodations. 

Please do NOT come to the campus with COVID or COVID-like symptoms. Even if you test negative for COVID, there are many other contagious viruses such as RSV and Influenza circulating. It is important to get tested and visit a healthcare provider for proper treatment and illness documentation.  

ISOLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

If you test positive for COVID-19, report using the link above, then you may need to isolate for up to 10 days after your positive test or symptoms start date. 

You may end isolation after 5 days if you meet the following criteria:  

1. Test negative on day 5 (day 0 is the date of the positive test/symptoms) or later  
2. And you have no fever without the use of fever-reducing medication  
3. And your symptoms are improving.  
4. You will need to send us a negative Antigen test taken at least 5 days after the date of your positive test or symptoms. Home COVID tests are acceptable for clearance.  (Please provide your picture ID and the test date with your result). 
5. If you choose not to test on day 5 or later, you may safely return to campus after 10 days only if your COVID-19 symptoms have improved and you are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medication at least 24 hours before your isolation end date. Your isolation is based on your test results and your symptoms. If you are still experiencing symptoms, notify the Student Health Center at 714-714-7705. Please contact us if you have been on campus 48 hours prior to testing positive.   

The Student Health Center does perform COVID-19 antigen testing by appointment only as needed for eligible, symptomatic students that have been evaluated by the nurse or provider. Same-day appointments are limited. 

We do NOT do COVID-19 Testing for travel or non-symptomatic purposes.

This is general information provided as a resource for symptomatic people looking for testing. We are not affiliated with any of the following resources.

• OC COVID-19 Testing Resources
• California COVID-19 Testing Information
• Test to Treat Locations
• MyTurn COVID Testing
• District 2 COVID-19 Testing Sites
• FDA Extended Test Kit Expiration Date Lookup
• Order 4 free at-home COVID-19 Tests (per household)
• Insured can get free or reimbursed home tests monthly at pharmacies: How to Get At-Home COVID-19 Tests at CVS, Kaiser, Rite Aide, or Walgreens. Contact your insurance for more information.
• Uninsured: Take Home COVID-19 Tests are available at the Student Health Center while supplies last.
• Most Urgent Care Clinics and major pharmacies can also test for COVID-19. Call your insurance or check their websites for coverage. 

*COVID-19 Vaccine: Everyone age 6 months and above is eligible for the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is FREE for all regardless of immigration status. View updates from the Orange County COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce.

For COVID-19 Vaccine information, please view: COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for College Students. Below are registration sites to register for the COVID-19 vaccine. We are not affiliated with any of the following resources:

• Orange County Vaccine Finder
• Othena or call 800-564-8448
• Vaccines.gov
• My Turn
• CVS  
• Rite Aid 
• Walgreens 
• Walmart
• Hoag
• Kaiser  ​
• Share Our Selves (SOS) Clinic: Call or Text (949) 270-2100
• Los Angeles County 
• Riverside County 
• San Diego County  

If you have been exposed to a person with COVID-19, it may take up to 10 days to know if you will get sick.  You do NOT need to isolate unless you develop symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19. It is important that you follow specific instructions from your healthcare provider or health department. 

Here's what you should do if you are exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms:

• Test 3-5 days after last exposure:

  • Consider testing as soon as possible to see if you are already infected; but if you test negative before day 3, test again 1–2 days later, during the 3–5 days after exposure.
  • If your test result is positive, report your positive test and follow isolation (PDF) recommendations that will be emailed to you.
  • Isolation can end after 5 days, if symptoms are not present or are resolving AND an antigen test, done on Day 5 or later, is negative
• Monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after your exposure. If symptoms develop, get tested immediately and stay home.
• Wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, especially indoors and around those at higher risk for severe COVID-19 disease.
• Consider getting vaccinated or boosted if you have not done so yet. 

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent chest pain or pressure
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on the skin tone

*This list does not include all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. 

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Prevention is the best strategy to reduce your risk of viral infection.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick or people outside of your home - keep at least a 6-foot distance. Remember that some people without symptoms can spread the virus. 
• Wear a well fitting mask in poorly ventilated spaces and crowds.
• Disinfect commonly touched surfaces such as counters, tables, keyboards, and doorknobs.
• Avoid sharing drinks, eating utensils, sports equipment, towels and bedding.
• Keep healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking water, getting enough sleep, and managing stress.
• Obtain a preventative vaccine such as the COVID-19 vaccine or flu shot if available.

For more information, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or view  CDC - How to Protect Yourself & Others.

View PDF

When to Wash Your Hands:

• Before and after:

  • Preparing food
  • Eating food
  • Treating a cut or wound
  • Caring for someone who is ill
• After sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose
• After returning from a public place
• After using the toilet, helping someone else toilet, changing diapers
• After handling animal food or waste
• After touching garbage

How to Wash Your Hands: 

1. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds
2. Palm to palm: rub hands together
3. Wash your fingernails, base of thumbs and wrists
4. Interlace your fingers
5. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water
6. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them

• OCC International Students with Aetna Insurance can call the 24-Hour Health Line at (800) 556-1555 or online appointments are available through Teladoc for $40 or less.  Please view Teladoc.

• St. Joseph/Hoag Nurse Advice Line: (800) 809-3555

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Please view CDC COVID-19.

• California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Please view CDPH COVID-19 Updates.

• If You Feel Sick: CDC COVID-19 Symptom Checker

• Please view CDC - What To Do If You Are Sick.

For Coast Community College District COVID-19 information, view Frequently Asked Questions.