Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources | University of South Florida
COVID-19 Vaccines
We strongly encourage vaccines, including boosters, as they are our most reliable
means of stopping the spread of COVID-19. All of USF’s faculty, staff, and students
are now eligible for the vaccine and boosters, therefore if someone chooses not to
be vaccinated, they are assuming a significant risk for the community and themselves.
USF Health continues to offer vaccines and boosters 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 vaccine and boosters
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.
The vaccine and booster minimizes the possibility that students face any disruption
to their studies or social activities, and employees won’t have their teaching, research
or university work interrupted. Please contact vaccine-info@usf.edu with any questions about the vaccines.
COVID-19 Case, Exposure, or Symptom Reporting
Beginning Jan. 3, 2022, COVID-19 symptoms or positive test results should no longer be reported to assesscovid@usf.edu as this inbox will be retired. Anyone with symptoms or who may have been exposed should get tested. Positive test results will be communicated by the testing site to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). Similar to other infectious diseases, FDOH will only contact the university if they believe any particular measures need to be taken to mitigate the spread of the virus.
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.
When faculty members or supervisors are informed of a positive case, they do not need to take further action, such as reporting that information to a central university source, because it will already have been shared with the Florida Department of Health at the time of the positive test result. However, USF Human Resources is available to assist supervisors or employees navigate related issues, such as sick leave or administrative leave policies.
USF 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.
Isolation and Quarantine
Isolation Procedures
Any student testing positive must isolate in accordance with guidance from the Florida
Department of Health and should notify their professors immediately. Residential students
will be asked to return home for the recommended isolation period. Capacity for emergency
isolation spaces on the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses is very limited and reserved
for residential students who are unable to safely return home.
Employees testing positive must isolate, per guidance from the Florida Department of Health, for at least five days – if tested negative on day five and asymptomatic – or for ten days if not tested negative and should notify their supervisors 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
Unvaccinated individuals who have been directly exposed to a positive case may be
directed by guidance from the Florida Department of Health to quarantine for five
days — if tested negative on day five — or for 10 days if not tested. The university
cannot accommodate exposed unvaccinated individuals who need to be quarantined. Fully
vaccinated individuals (boosted or within six months of the second dose of Pfizer
or Moderna or within two months of Johnson & Johnson) who are exposed do not need
to quarantine unless they are symptomatic and directed to do so.
Healthy Habits
Every member of our university community is encouraged to maintain the healthy behaviors that enabled us to keep case numbers low on our campuses. Always stay at 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. Wear a mask indoors. If you are unvaccinated, consider avoiding large crowds.
Staying Safe
Masks
Individuals can choose to wear a mask or not on USF campuses. Masks may only be required
in a health care setting.
Testing
USF continues to offer directed and voluntary 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. Student Health Services will bill insurance for testing, however you may
still access testing even if you do not have insurance. USF Health will bill insurance
and the employee being tested. Testing is also available through county sites operated
by the Florida Department of Health and private facilities. More information is available here.
Beginning January 24, 2022, additional COVID-19 testing will be available on the USF
Tampa campus through a private partnership with Lab Services. A site will operate
weekly at the USF Health Therapy Building (MDT) located at 3515 East Fletcher Avenue.
The hours are 4-8 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and from 3-8 p.m. on Tuesdays
and Thursdays. Please note this site is operated separately from USF Health or USF Student Health
Services and anyone with questions should contact Lab Services at 888-757-2743.
During operating hours, the site is open to all and no appointment is required. Tests
will be conducted at no cost to students, faculty and staff.
This will be a drive thru-testing site, but a station will also be provided for walk-ups.
Individuals can access the testing site via Fletcher Avenue to USF Magnolia Drive.
Signage will be present to direct vehicles through the test site and to the exit when
tests are completed. A QR code will be present on signage, allowing individuals to
scan and complete their screening form before receiving the test.
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. The COVID-19 Task Force will no longer review travel requests. For more information and the latest updates, please visit USF World.