View this email in your browser.
October 13, 2020
The purpose of this weekly newsletter is to provide the campus community with important updates and recent news related to the Return to Learn program. If you have specific questions or would like to submit feedback about the program, please email rtl@ucsd.edu.

In Case You Missed It

New COVID-19 Dashboard

A newly redesigned testing dashboard is now available where you can find more information about COVID-19 testing and prevalence in the UC San Diego community, updated each weekday. 

Testing Noncompliance

Students living on campus or coming to campus for educational, research, co-curricular, recreational, or social activities must participate in an asymptomatic test every two weeks, which they schedule themselves. Unless granted a special exemption approved by Student Health Services, students 16 days out of compliance with the testing policy will be referred to the Student Conduct Office for the progressive discipline process.

Triton Food Pantry Open for Pick Up Service

Students can schedule to pick up a pre-bagged selection of food from the Triton Food Pantry up to once per week. Orders should be placed at least three days in advance, and masks must be worn to pick up your order. 

Forgot Your AD Credentials?

Accessing the daily symptom and exposure screening tool, as well as scheduling an asymptomatic test, requires students and employees to log in using their Active Directory credentials. If you have forgotten your login information, you can find information about resetting it here. In addition, switching to another browser can also help with login issues.
UC San Diego public health tips

Upcoming Town Halls

Faculty Town Hall

Oct 14, 3:30 - 4:30 p.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.

Staff Town Hall | Oct 22, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Student Town Hall | Nov 10, 5:00 - 6:15 p.m.

Featured Video: The Structure Revealed

Animation of coronavirus spike protein

What does the coronavirus look like at the atomic level? Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Rommie Amaro, PhD., and her team member Lorenzo Casalino, Ph.D., have simulated the movement of the virus on a supercomputer down to a millionth of a billionth of a second. Their goal: to learn how the virus spreads from person to person. Read more in the New York Times feature story.

Your Top Questions Answered

Question: Can I walk up to a drive-thru testing site?
Answer: UC San Diego offers five drive-thru COVID-19 testing locations, including sites in Eastlake, Hillcrest, La Jolla, Rancho Bernardo and Encinitas. Although designed to accommodate students and employees in cars, these locations will also accept those who walk up (with a pre-scheduled appointment) or those who are dropped off through a rideshare program.
Question: What mental health resources are available for students and employees?
Answer: There are many new and existing resources available to help maintain mental and emotional wellness during the pandemic. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers confidential counseling and psychiatric services for registered students via telemedicine video visits. To start the process, schedule a brief telephone assessment by calling (858) 534-3755 or online through MyStudentChart. In addition, CAPS offers drop-in virtual workshops to help develop coping skills to increase resilience and wellbeing during this pandemic, as well as free, self-guided mental health technologies through iFlourish.

Also, the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program is open, with one-on-one sessions conducted via Zoom or phone. Current and returning clients can contact their counselor directly by phone or email; new clients can request an appointment online. For more information, contact fsap@ucsd.edu. In addition, educational workshops and support groups are available on a variety of topics. UC San Diego Heath employees: Please contact your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider aligned with your medical coverage.
Question: If I think I may have been exposed, how soon should I get tested?
Answer: If you think you may have been exposed, you should quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of exposure. This means you will stay within your household and not leave except for medical care. We recommend you have a SARS-CoV-2 test five days after exposure, whether you have symptoms or not. If you receive a positive result, you need to take additional precautions to avoid exposing others. You need to isolate, stay within one bedroom and use a private bathroom (or disinfect the bathroom upon each use).
If your test from day five is negative, you will still need to remain in quarantine for the entire 14-day period, since you may start shedding virus at a later date. For individuals in quarantine, extra precautions should be taken for those living with vulnerable individuals who have underlying medical conditions, as they can be more severely impacted by the virus. Learn more on the Testing and Screening page here.
Subscribe to our email list.