The Office of Student Health Services at UCR has issued guidelines for suspected COVID-19 patients. The Office of Student Health Services has a limited number of kits from Quest Diagnostics for COVID-19 testing and is currently using them for designated students who meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Clinical and testing decisions are determined by a patient’s symptoms, personal health history and possible transmission risk.
According to Dr. Kenneth Han, the chief medical officer at the Office of Student Health Services, patients who are under the age of 65 with mild clinical symptoms and are not immunocompromised are not recommended to receive testing for COVID-19. However, low risk individuals with COVID-19 symptoms who have had a fever (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and a cough for more than three days are eligible for possible testing. Also, these patients should come in for an assessment to rule out treatable conditions.
Low risk adults who display classic fever and dry cough symptoms are advised to manage symptoms at home and self-isolate. This group of patients should monitor their temperature two to four times daily. If a patient’s temperature exceeds 102 degrees Fahrenheit, then they should call the Office of Student Health Services. Other mechanisms for managing symptoms are: liquid hydration two to three liters a day, control fever with acetaminophen, control of cough with over-the-counter medications, stay isolated for 72 hours after fever breaks and cover cough until it is gone.
Individuals who have health conditions such as tachycardia, tachypnea or dyspnea should seek out the Emergency Department instead of the Office of Student Health Services.
Immunocompromised patients with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are advised to go to the Office of Student Health Services. COVID-19 testing will be considered after an assessment of the patient.
A student sharing a room in on-campus housing with COVID-19 symptoms will be considered for housing arrangements such as isolation rooms. Clinical judgment will determine whether or not that individual will need an in-person assessment.
When one individual has a case of COVID-19 in a household or family, immediate symptomatic family members do not need testing for confirmation. Immediate symptomatic family members are presumed to be positive for COVID-19. Students should call the Office of Student Health Services before visiting the Office of Student Health Services if they believe they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. The Office of Student Health Services will then direct students on the next steps they should take.
Additional information regarding COVID-19 can be found on cdc.gov.
