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January 14, 2022

In Case You Missed It

On-Campus Checklist

We understand that guidelines are changing quickly in response to shifting pandemic conditions. Thank you for your patience as we communicate updates as soon as possible. We’ve collected all of the key information that students and campus employees need to know before returning to in-person learning, teaching and working in the Latest Updates page. Please refer to this page often for the latest information. 

Build Your Own Air Filter System

Interested in constructing your own filter to help clean indoor air? The Corsi-Rosenthal Box is low-cost, easy to assemble and effective. It was first created when Richard Corsi, dean of the Engineering School at UC Davis, suggested the idea on Twitter, and Jim Rosenthal, owner of Tex-Air Filters, built the first box in response. The box is designed to last for six months and is built with a box fan, 4 or 5 MERV-13 filters and duct tape. 

Vaccination Status Definitions

What does it mean to be fully vaccinated?
  • You have received a booster shot and it has been 7 days or more since your booster shot, or
  • You have received the complete initial vaccination dose(s) and you are not yet eligible for a booster
What is considered not fully vaccinated?
  • You have received a booster shot and it has been less than 7 days since your booster shot
  • You have received a complete initial vaccine series and are eligible for a booster shot, but have not yet received one
  • You did not complete the initial vaccine series
  • You have not received any vaccines

Upcoming Town Halls

Staff Town Hall

Wednesday, Jan. 26  
9:00 a.m.
Join us as campus leaders share updates on the Return to Learn program and address your questions related to campus operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Winter Quarter Student COVID-Testing Protocol

2022 Winter Student Testing Requirements

Your Questions Answered

Question: What are the most updated testing requirements for students and campus employees?
Answer
Twice weekly asymptomatic COVID-19 PCR testing required (every 3-5 days) IF:
  • You have received the initial vaccination doses and you received your booster less than 7 days ago.
  • You have received the initial vaccination doses and you are eligible for a booster but you have not yet received a booster.
  • You have not received the initial vaccination doses or you are unvaccinated.
Weekly asymptomatic COVID-19 PCR testing encouraged IF:
  • You have received the initial vaccination doses and you received your booster more than 7 days ago.
  • You have received the initial vaccination doses and you are not yet eligible for a booster.
Question: Beyond ongoing testing requirements, what other reasons would I need to get tested?
Answer: Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should test immediately if they develop COVID-19 symptoms (review symptoms here on the CDC).
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should test if there is a positive wastewater signal in the building that they live or work in. See which buildings currently have positive signals on the Exposure Dashboard.
Please note: You are not required to conduct a COVID-19 PCR test if you have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
Question: Do I still need to test regularly if I currently have or recently recovered from COVID-19?
Answer: No, if you have had COVID-19 in the past 90 days you should NOT test and you are exempt from campus testing requirements. If you have new symptoms within 90 days, speak with your provider about testing. The only exception is for those who are in isolation who conduct a rapid antigen test.
Question: As a campus community member, what do I do if I think I may have been exposed to COVID-19?
Answer: Use the daily symptom and exposure screener tool to indicate that you may have been exposed. Students and campus employees should schedule a test as soon as possible. For testing support and guidance, students can contact Student Health Services at 858-534-3300 and employees can contact UC San Diego’s Testing Support Line at 619-543-8260. COVID-19 tests are offered at no cost if conducted at a UC San Diego Health location or a COVID-19 test kit vending machine.  For more information, please see the Return to Learn Exposure and Contact Tracing webpage.
If you have specific questions or would like to submit feedback about the Return to Learn program, please email rtl@ucsd.edu.
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