COVID-19 is still with us, so the Student Health Center coordinators and the District’s HR leaders created this handy FAQ to help employees who have questions.
Where can I get FREE COVID-19 test kits?
Call the Student Health Center on your campus to see if they have test kits available for you to pick up, or use the Ventura County Recovers website to find the complete list of testing sites in the county.
District Administrative Center employees, contact Oxnard College’s Student Health Center or use the Ventura County Recovers website to find the complete list of testing sites in the county.
Can I use an at-home test kit to determine if I have COVID-19?
At-home test kits (antigen tests) are completely fine to use, but remember to test 3–5 days following exposure. If you test too soon, the result will not be accurate. You do not need to go to a medical facility to be tested.
I have been exposed to COVID-19. Now what?
- If you do not have symptoms you may come to campus.
- Test 3–5 days following your exposure regardless of whether you have been vaccinated or boosted.
- Consider testing as soon as possible to see if you are already infected. If you test negative before Day 3, test again 48 hours later.
- If you had COVID-19 in the last 30 days, you do not need to test. If it has been over 30 days, follow the testing recommendations above.
- If your test result is positive, isolate, report on the MyVCCCD App, and seek treatment if needed.
- Wear a well-fitting mask (N95, KN95, KF94 or surgical mask) around others (even at home) for 10 days following exposure—even if your test is negative.
- Monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days. If symptoms develop, test immediately and stay home.
- Consider getting vaccinated or boosted if you have not done so yet. The best way to protect yourself from getting very sick from a future COVID-19 exposure and infection is to get vaccinated and boosted now.
- Please do not come to campus, as you may infect others without knowing it.
- Report it on the MyVCCCD mobile app. Instructions for downloading the mobile app are on the VCCCD information technology webpage here.
- Contact the Student Health Center; staff may not be available immediately but will contact you as soon as possible.
- Contact your supervisor.
- Test right away. If the result is negative on first day of symptoms, continue to wear a well-fitted mask around others and test again 48 hours later. Rapid home tests increase in accuracy by third day of symptoms.
- Isolate (stay home and separate yourself from others) while waiting for test results.
I tested positive for COVID-19. Now what?
- Please do not come to campus, as you may infect others without knowing it.
- Report it on the MyVCCCD mobile app. Upload your positive test results. Instructions for downloading the mobile app are on the VCCCD information technology webpage here.
- Contact the Student Health Center; staff may not be available immediately but will contact you as soon as possible.
- Contact your supervisor.
- Contact HR if you are off work more than five working days, as you will need to complete leave of absence paperwork.
- Speak to a healthcare provider about treatment options, especially if you develop symptoms.
- Persons who have tested positive for COVID-19:
- Start counting isolation days with Day 1 being the first full day after your symptoms began (or the day after your positive test if you have no symptoms).
- End isolation after Day 5 with return to campus on Day 6 if: Symptoms are not present, or are mild and improving; AND They have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
- If symptoms are not improving or worsening by Day 5 continue to stay home, contact your healthcare provider, and inform the Student Health Center you will not be returning on Day 6.
- Continue to wear a well-fitted mask around others for 5 more days after ending your isolation. You can take your mask off sooner if you test negative two days in a row.
- If you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, or experience confusion, please call 911.
- If you have any questions or need clarification about your return to campus date, please contact the Student Health Center.
HR INFORMATION
I tested positive. Can I work from home?
No. You need to take care of yourself and focus on getting well.
Are the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act & the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (“Emergency FMLA”) still available?
No, they have expired.
REGARDING STUDENTS:
My student informed me they have COVID symptoms. Now what?
Inform the student to:
- Not come to campus, as you may infect others without knowing it.
- Report it on the MyVCCCD mobile app. Instructions for downloading the mobile app are on the VCCCD information technology webpage here.
- Contact the Student Health Center.
- Test right away.
- Isolate (stay home and separate yourself from others) while waiting for test results.
- If the result is negative, test again 48 hours later.
- Direct students to the Student Health Center website for COVID guidance.
- Not come to campus, as you may infect others without knowing it.
- Report it on the MyVCCCD mobile app. Instructions for downloading the mobile app are on the VCCCD information technology webpage here.
- Contact the Student Health Center.
- Speak to a healthcare provider about treatment options, especially if you develop symptoms.
- Isolate for 10 days or end isolation sooner if symptoms are resolving and you have a negative COVID test 5 or more days after symptoms start or a positive test.
- Start counting isolation days with Day 1 being the first full day after your symptoms began (or the day after your positive test if you have no symptoms).
- Wear a well-fitting mask if you need to be around others during your isolation period.
