Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources | University of South Florida
The University of South Florida encourages students, faculty and staff to take steps to reduce the risks associated with COVID-19, influenza and other infectious diseases. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control offers guidance and other resources about COVID-19. Additional information is provided to help promote the health and well-being of the USF community.
Healthy Habits
Every member of the university community is encouraged to maintain behaviors to help keep each other healthy. Always stay home when you don’t feel well. Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds with warm soapy water whenever moving from one place to another. Consider wearing a mask indoors or in large crowds.
Vaccines
USF strongly encourages vaccines, and boosters where recommended, for all vaccine-preventable
diseases. All USF faculty, staff and students are eligible for the COVID vaccine and
boosters, as well as an annual flu shot.
USF Health offers COVID vaccines and boosters and the annual flu shot at the Morsani
Clinic (13330 USF Laurel Drive). Faculty and staff can make an appointment by emailing covidvaccine@usf.edu. The Morsani Clinic also accepts walk-ins during specific times. Established USF Health patients can make a vaccine appointment through MyChart.
Student Health Services on all three USF campuses offers the COVID vaccine and boosters
and the annual flu shot to students for no cost/low-cost medical services covered
by student fees. Complete an intake form or call 813-974-2331 for an appointment. More information on vaccine availability
and clinic hours is available here.
Staying Safe
Testing
Anyone with flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose) or who may have
been exposed to COVID-19 or the flu should get tested for these diseases, as treatments
are available and isolation may be warranted to prevent the spread of disease to others.
USF offers COVID-19 testing for students through Student Health Services and for employees at the USF Morsani Clinic on the Tampa campus. Testing for students and employees is available at the Wellness Centers on the St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee campuses. Testing may also be available through county sites operated by the Florida Department of Health and private facilities. More information is available here.
Students with symptoms or who test positive are encouraged to seek medical attention from Student Health Services (Tampa campus) or the Wellness Center (St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee campuses). Any student testing positive should notify their professors immediately. Faculty are encouraged to accommodate ill students as best they can. Employees testing positive or who are directly exposed to a positive case should notify their supervisors immediately. Please contact your HR department to discuss available leave options. Additional guidance is available through USF HR.
Masks
Individuals can choose to wear a mask or not on USF campuses. Masks may only be required
in a health care setting.
Community Resources
Meetings and Events
In-person meetings and events are permitted, though many units have found that meeting remotely, or offering a remote option, provides convenience and may increase participation.
Masks and Cleaning Supplies
Face coverings, hand sanitizers and disinfectant cleaning supplies will be provided centrally, through the Facilities and Asset Management Information System (FAMIS), until supplies are exhausted. At that point, individual units should order and purchase these directly as needed.
Designing Work Structures
Employees are encouraged to work with their supervisors to design work structures that make the most sense based on the nature of work. Please continue to utilize our many resources from USF Human Resources.
COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine
Isolation Procedures
Any student who tests positive must isolate in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and should notify their professors immediately.
Residential students will be asked to leave campus or return home for the recommended
isolation period.
Employees who test positive must isolate in accordance with guidance from the CDC and should notify their supervisor immediately. Supervisors should discuss with employees if they will be on leave or if remote work is an option. More guidance for supervisors and employees is available through USF Human Resources.
Quarantine Procedures
Students and employees who have been directly exposed to a positive case should follow
guidance from the CDC regarding quarantine.
International Travel
International travel for business and study abroad is permitted. Travelers should be aware that the COVID-19 situation remains fluid and that each country may have different rules and expectations. Travelers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with various country requirements, including requirements for returning to the United States from international destinations.
The USF Global Risk Assessment Committee, which was in place prior to the pandemic, will consider COVID-19 related conditions when reviewing requests for student-related international travel to high-risk destinations. For more information and the latest updates, please visit USF World.