Coronavirus/COVID-19 - Frequently Asked Questions
Updated: Monday, March 9, 2020
Understandably, students, faculty, and staff are concerned about the continued spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Chico State’s primary commitment is to the safety, health, and well-being of our campus community.
In partnership with federal, state, and county health officials, we’ve been monitoring the COVID-19 situation very closely since the first outbreak in December. In addition to the University’s own proactive emergency-preparedness efforts, we will continue to closely follow all health and preparedness protocols from the Butte County Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and other state and local public health experts.
This FAQ—which will be updated on an ongoing basis—is intended to provide information about COVID-19; preventive measures for avoiding infection; how Chico State is responding to the COVID-19 threat; and other critical information to keep students, faculty, and staff safe and healthy.
Information from the CDC and other well-known domestic and global health organizations informs this FAQ.
The Latest
- Has anyone in Butte County or at Chico State tested positive for COVID-19?
No, there are currently no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Butte County. As of March 6, one individual is under investigation in Butte County for potentially carrying the COVID-19 virus, according to the Butte County Public Health Department.
While the potential for the virus entering Butte County is concerning, the immediate risk to Chico State remains low. The University is following the situation very closely, has plans in place in the event campus should be impacted, and, should the need arise, will notify the campus community immediately with instructions for staying healthy and safe.
- Is it true that Butte County declared a local health emergency?
Yes, on March 6, Butte County declared a local public health emergency in response to the ongoing COVID-19 situation—even though there are still no confirmed cases in the county. Local health officials underscore that the proclamation was executed as a proactive measure to help the county expedite planning and provide additional resources to help limit the spread of the virus should the need arise.
The University shares the campus community's concern about the situation, but also wants to reassure our students, faculty, and staff that the immediate risk to Chico State remains low. We're following the situation very closely, have plans in place in the event campus should be impacted, and, should the need arise, will notify the campus community immediately with instructions for staying healthy and safe.
How Chico State Is Responding
- What steps is Chico State taking to plan proactively for a potential COVID-19 impact on campus
The WellCat Health Center, in partnership with federal, state, and county health officials, has monitored the coronavirus situation very closely since the first outbreak in December to ensure the safety and health of the entire campus community.
In addition to the University’s own proactive emergency-preparedness efforts, we will continue to closely follow all health and preparedness protocols from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and public health department officials.
Additional steps we’re taking to keep the campus community healthy and safe:
Wellness Screening & Awareness Building
- Screening WellCat Health Center visitors who meet CDC criteria and have general flu-like symptoms. All patients will be asked about recent international travel or being exposed to someone that may have traveled internationally within the last 14 days at check-in, during triage and by the provider. If we identify a student with these symptoms (respiratory/trouble breathing, cough, fever) and recent international travel history, we will isolate them immediately, and contact Butte County Public Health.
- Providing flu-prevention information in residence halls, the WellCat Health Center, and other high-traffic locations on campus.
Enhanced Cleaning & Disinfecting
- Expanding distribution and placement of hand and surface sanitizers throughout campus, especially in common areas.
- Implementing an enhanced cleaning protocol across campus to ensure high-traffic areas like classrooms, dining areas, and student housing are thoroughly disinfected. Elevated cleaning will also be carried out on commonly used surfaces like doorknobs and push bars, light switches, and classroom desktops.
- Will Chico State close if there's a COVID-19 outbreak on campus?
The immediate COVID-19 risk to Chico State remains low.
The University continues to monitor the situation very closely as it’s done since December and will continue to engage in ongoing, proactive contingency planning in the unlikely event COVID-19 should impact campus.
Part of our planning involves developing policies and approaches to continue instruction through the use of technology in the unlikely event campus would need to be closed, and resources are currently being established to empower Chico State faculty to teach classes remotely.
To accommodate students who may be experiencing symptoms or who believe they should isolate themselves, Chico State academic officers are working with faculty to ensure maximum flexibility during this time of uncertainty.
- Is Chico State canceling on-campus events?
At this time, Chico State is not restricting events or gatherings on campus. The University continues to monitor the situation closely and is ready to cancel events immediately if needed.
About COVID-19
- What is coronavirus, COVID-19?
A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
A diagnosis with coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, or HKU1 is not the same as a COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with COVID-19 will be evaluated and cared for differently than patients with common coronavirus diagnosis.
- What are the symptoms?
Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
More from the CDC.
- How does COVID-19 spread?
Current understanding about how the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses. COVID-19 is a new disease and there is more to learn about how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread in the United States.
Person-to-person spread
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
More from the CDC.
- Am I protected from COVID-19 if I’ve had a flu shot?
No, but the University strongly recommends that everyone obtain seasonal flu vaccination. While it will not prevent COVID-19, influenza is currently in widespread circulation and initial symptoms can be similar to novel coronavirus.
- What can I do if I’m feeling anxious?
If you or someone you know is feeling anxious about COVID-19, the WellCat Health Center and Counseling Center websites offer a comprehensive list of on- and off-campus resources.
Staff and faculty may use the employee assistance program (EAP). LifeMatters by Empathia is a 24 hour, 7days a week, 365 days a year service. You can access this service by calling (800) 367-7474 or go to www.mylifematters.com for assistance.
- Where can I get more information?
Butte County COVID-19 Information Line—Butte County residents can dial 2-1-1 (24/7) or text their zip code to 898211 for real-time information and updates. The text line is available M-F from 7:30 am to 6 pm.
Additional information can be found here:
Response and Prevention
- What do I do if I feel like I have COVID-19 symptoms?
Chico State wants students, faculty, and staff who are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms, to self-isolate until their symptoms go away and/or call their health care providers to get guidance.
Students experiencing symptoms should call the WellCat Health Center at 530-898-5241 for instructions. Outside of WellCat Health Center hours, students should contact Enloe Medical Center at 800-822-8102 if they feel they may have been exposed to an infectious disease.
Students should contact their instructors via email or phone to work out a plan for meeting ongoing academic success.
Faculty and staff should reach out to their medical providers or Butte County Public Health at 530-552-4000.
- How do I help prevent the spread of viruses, including COVID-19?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes
- Keep your immune system healthy by getting plenty of sleep, nutrition, stress-relief, and exercise
Check out these additional CDC tips for preventing the flu.
- Should I wear a mask?
The CDC does NOT recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings.
- Where can I get tested for COVID-19?
The Butte County Public Health Department currently oversees all COVID-19 testing for the county.
The WellCat Health Center continues to screen all students who visit the facility. If our health care experts identify an individual experiencing systems such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and fever – and has traveled internationally recently – we will isolate them immediately and contact Butte County Public Health to conduct COVID-19 testing.
- What can I do to combat negative COVID-19 stereotypes?
In some communities, misguided fear and anxiety has led to social stigma towards people of Asian descent. Stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate an infectious disease with a particular population or nationality. Stigma hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem.
Chico State wants your help in fighting negative and hurtful stigmas arising from the COVID-19 outbreak. Let’s all communicate publicly – whether at in-person gatherings or on social media – that being of Asian descent does not increase anyone’s chance of getting or spreading COVID-19 and that thinking otherwise is just plain ignorant.
- What do I do if I feel like I have COVID-19 symptoms?
Guidance for Faculty & Staff
- Are there special steps faculty and staff should be taking?
Faculty and staff play a big role in keeping the campus safe.
If students or employees you come into contact with are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms like severe respiratory illness with fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, tell them to self-isolate until their symptoms go away and/or call their health care provider to get guidance.
Students should call the WellCat Health Center at 530-898-5241 for instructions. Outside of WellCat Health Center hours, students should contact Enloe Medical Center at 800-822-8102 if they feel they may have been exposed to an infectious disease.
Faculty and staff should call their own health care providers or Butte County Public Health at 530-552-4000.
- How should faculty respond to students who aren't feeling well and need to stay home?
For faculty who have students reporting absences due to symptoms, the benefit of the doubt should be given and rules around providing medical notes should be relaxed if students are following the recommendations of medical experts to stay home.
Additionally, faculty should make every attempt possible to accommodate students who get sick and should stay home with the resources needed to succeed academically.
Examples include:
- Allowing sick students to attend class virtually in real time using video conferencing or recording lectures on video or audio
- Being flexible on course attendance
- Making a copies of class notes available to sick students
- Adjusting deadlines for assignments and/or exams
The University realizes that this may take a little extra effort and creative thinking on the part of faculty, but it’s the University’s goal to not let illness be a barrier to academic achievement.
- How should employees record sick time?
Any employee experiencing symptoms should stay home and call his/her health care provider or Butte County Department of Public Health at 530-552-4000.
For any absence due to illness, staff should plan on using their sick time as they would normally. In the event an employee runs out of sick time, they can request to use vacation time through normal vacation-request procedures.
Travel Guidance
- What if I plan to travel over Spring Break?
Chico State asks that students, faculty, and staff considering the following if intending to travel over Spring Break:
- COVID-19 conditions in the US and abroad continue to change, so Chico State strongly urges travelers to stay informed and be aware of any developments that may impact their plans.
- Monitor travel advisories for your destinations, and consult with national, state, and local public-health resources such as the CDC before you go.
- Officials may implement domestic and international travel restrictions with little notice.
- Airlines may cancel or limit flights in or out of a country or region with little notice.
- Additional quarantine measures may be applied within the US and abroad.
- For individuals traveling internationally, re-entry to the US may become more restricted.
- Are there restrictions on domestic travel?
No, there are currently no restrictions on domestic travel. That said, Chico State encourages individuals traveling domestically (as well as internationally) to research their destinations and consult with the CDC and local public health departments at their destinations before they go.
If the situation changes, we will update the campus community.
- Is Chico State restricting international travel for university-related business?
In recognition of the rapidly evolving events concerning COVID-19, the Chancellor’s Office is directing all faculty, staff, and students to temporarily avoid all non-essential, University-related travel to countries that are designated with a CDC Warning-Level 3 Travel Notice.
In addition to banned travel to China, this now includes South Korea. We recommend that students and university employees on state business avoid non-essential travel to countries in Asia, and Europe where the CDC has identified that sustained transmission of COVID-19 has transpired, or where the virus has spread.
CDC country destination and warning level listing.
For questions about these travel restrictions please contact Risk Management via email at risk@csuchico.edu or at 530-898-6588.
- Can I return to campus if I've traveled internationally recently?
To ensure the safety and well-being of the campus community, all students, faculty, and staff returning from international travel will be subject to CDC and local public health travel re-entry guidelines in place at the time of their return.
- How is Chico State supporting students who are already studying abroad?
As of March 1, 2020, the CDC has asked that U.S. institutions of higher education consider postponing or canceling student study-abroad programs.
We continue to communicate with students currently studying abroad and with in-country program staff as we evaluate risk factors. California State University International Programs have cancelled international programs of study in China and Korea, and Chico State students placed in these countries have left or are in the process of leaving.
We are working with those students impacted by canceled study aboard programs to find alternate coursework to keep them on track to getting their degrees.