Staying Healthy | Incident Response

It is important to follow these simple steps:

Become familiar with and recognize symptoms of the illness.
Seek care immediately if you have recently traveled within the affected region and are experiencing symptoms.
Always practice good hygiene – wash your hands, cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing (into the crook of your elbow rather than your hands is best), and avoid sharing food, cups or utensils.
Get an annual flu shot

Employees and students must stay home (or be sent home) if they have fever and/or respiratory infection symptoms in accordance with California Department of Public Health guidance issued on March 7, 2020.

Coronavirus symptoms can include a high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, similar to what you may feel with influenza or a bad cold. The incubation period (how soon the symptoms appear from the time of first exposure) for this virus appears to be 2-14 days.

Please help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses with these additional tips:

Cover mouth and nose with sleeve, elbow or a tissue when sneezing or coughing
Do not share drinks or foods with others
Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
Avoid close contact with others
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects
Stay at home if you are unwell
Wear a cloth mask or face covering

Any member of our community who has traveled to a potentially impacted area within the last two weeks or has come in contact with someone who may have the virus AND is experiencing symptoms such as those described above should immediately contact their health care provider and seek medical attention.

Enhanced Environmental Safety Measures

As we individually do our part to stay healthy and prevent the spread of germs, CSUSM has – in an abundance of caution – increased the frequency of services to clean and disinfect high-use/high-touch areas. In addition, numerous hand sanitizer stations are placed at high-traffic areas throughout campus and signs with good hygiene reminders have been mounted at building entrances.

Social Distancing

Social distancing is a term used by public health officials to stop or slow down the spread of a highly contagious disease. For example, keep a healthy distance from people you don't know, avoid unnecessary travel, public events and other large gatherings.

Social distancing is can be effective with as little as six feet of distance between individuals. Research shows that reducing the concentration of people in an area can lower the risk of infection for everyone.

Wash Hands

Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important when preparing food, after coughing or sneezing, touching garbage, or using the bathroom. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Should I wear a mask

According to guidance from the State of California health department, to prevent infection, you must cover your nose and mouth when outside your home. Wearing a mask is now required statewide. Wearing a mask or cloth face covering can slow the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the release of virus into the air. It also reinforces physical distancing, and shows you care about the health of others.

Coronavirus spreads when an infected person speaks, sneezes, or coughs within 6 feet of others. You may have the virus and spread it even if you feel well.

CA guidance on masks and PPE