COVID-19 Operations

Alert levels, Contact Tracing, and Quarantine

Campus Alert Levels

To simplify the range of operational approaches, the university will utilize five COVID-19 Alert Levels to indicate the severity of COVID-19 transmission and its implications for institutional operations. These Alert Levels were informed by guidance from the USC Aiken Taskforce on Health Subcommittee, PreventingEpidemics.org, the CDC, current science and data, and current guidelines from the SC Department of Administration. These alert levels are fluid and may change as necessary.

On Campus Resources

The Student Health Center and the Student Counseling Center play pivotal roles in COVID-19 mitigation and treatment efforts, develop new services, and create flexible staffing solutions to optimize medical and mental health responses in the face of uncertainty during this novel pandemic. In addition to the pandemic response, these areas will continue to provide patient-centered care for episodic and chronic illnesses, injuries, counseling, preventative care, and wellness services.

Be Mindful

Tips for how to navigate campus life right now

Keep in Mind

PLEASE NOTE: If you think you may be positive for COVID-19 and are a student, call Student Health at 803-641-2840. DO NOT go to the Student Health Center. If you think you may be positive for COVID-19 and are faculty or staff, contact your primary care provider if you need medical attention.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and are a campus student, faculty member, or staff member contact the COVID Coordinators at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or leave them a message on the COVID-19 Helpline at 803-641-3271.

• If you test positive, stay home for five days regardless of vaccination status. If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after five days, you can leave your house. Continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.

Do

• Continue to self-monitor for symptoms.
• Be respectful of others and their individual comfort levels related to masking and distancing.
• Report all positive cases to the university COVID-19 Coordinators.
• Faculty should require the same documentation for excused absences related to COVID-19 that are required of other illnesses. For example, if a doctor’s excuse is required in order to miss a test or class for other illnesses, that does not change.

Resources

The latest guidelines and resources to help you navigate issues related to COVID-19

CDC

SC DHEC

WHO

USC School of Medicine

• CDC Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)
• South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control: COVID-19 guidance for colleges/universities
• South Carolina Risk Tracker
• mRNA Vaccines Explained
• Physicians for Informed Consent: Vaccine Efficacy and Safety
• Immunological memory to SARS-CoV-2
• Lasting immunity found after recovery from COVID-19
• Why Get Vaccinated flyer
• Masks Recommended sign

Contact Info

Need help or have concerns?

If you still have questions regarding the university's COVID-19 mitigation plan, reach out via these means:

Community Members

Register for testing at http://www.impacthealth.com/sctesting. If you have any questions related to COVID-19 testing, please call 515-442-8353. 

University Members

If you have any questions related to reporting COVID-19, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The COVID-19 Helpline is also available at 803-641-3271 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..