Coronavirus: Get complete details about the university's response to COVID-19.
We all have to do our part to help make our community safer.
The university is focused on making a safe campus experience for everyone. Follow all health and safety recommendations to protect yourself and others. We'll continue to update this information as changes occur.
Monitor yourself for the symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, chills/shaking, lost sense of smell/taste, and fever greater than 100.0°F.
If you are sick, stay home. If you test positive for COVID-19, call 803-576-8511 to report your positive status to the university and for medical guidance. Also, call the university’s Environmental Health and Safety office at 803-528-8191.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Additional hand washing stations [map] have been set up around campus. Hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol is also effective.
Avoid touching your face and always perform hand hygiene before eating or touching your nose, mouth or eyes.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow. Dispose of used tissue properly.
Do not share food, drink, hookahs, vape pens and other products that can easily transmit the virus.
Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Maintain the recommended physical distance from others, even when face coverings and masks are in use.
Avoid crowding in elevators. Take the stairs when feasible.
Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
The university is requiring face coverings to be worn at all times when inside all campus buildings, unless you are in your own residence hall room, private office or are eating. Other locations may be added as conditions warrant.
Students and employees should carry a face covering of their choice to use on campus.
COVID-19 (PCR) diagnostic testing for the virus allows for early identification, intervention and effective contact tracing of COVID-19 cases. Testing results may also help the university better understand and mitigate the spread of the virus.
The University of South Carolina expects all students, faculty and staff members to be tested for COVID-19. Individuals should obtain a test shortly before their return to campus or as soon as possible upon their return to campus.
Do not gather as a group without careful consideration and appropriate precautions.
Convene meetings in ways that allow for social distancing and the inclusion of anyone joining remotely.
In-person meetings should occur in open areas or rooms with occupancy levels that significantly exceed the number of participants and are not greater than 50 percent of current occupancy limits.
Stay in virtual touch with family and friends through phone calls, video chat and social media. Be on guard for sadness, anxiety or depression in yourself or others while physical distancing.
Students should call Counseling and Psychiatry at 803-777-5223 to speak with a counselor about any concerns. Faculty and staff should also call if they have concerns about a student.
Employees have access to counselors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through the Employee Assistance Program by calling 800-633-3353 or 704-529-1428.
Call 911 if you or someone you know is considering harming themselves or someone else.
Crisis Test Line: Text HELLO to 741741 (Free, 24/7 and confidential)