SHCS and COVID-19 FAQ

Student Health & Counseling Services is committed to the health and safety of our CSUSM students. Below you will find information regarding how SHCS will handle student appointments and other questions relating to our services. 

• Is SHCS still open when students are no longer on campus?

  Currently, SHCS is open Monday-Friday at 9 am -3 pm and CLOSED for lunch at 12 pm -12:30 pm.  Students that need to be seen by a medical provider, must make an appointment by calling (760) 750-4915. We are NOT taking walk-ins as our doors are secured.  Please call us to check hours of operation and appointment availability as things may change due to COVID-19.  

• Does SHCS have any tests for COVID-19?

  No, SHCS does not screen or provide any testing for COVID-19. We encourage students to call their medical provider to get triaged. If a student does not have a medical provider, students can call us to be triaged and may be referred to another health care agency for screening and testing. 

• Do we have any confirmed cases on campus?

   We have been closely monitoring the local circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and we want to assure you that no CSUSM employees or students are reported to have COVID-19.

• How can I tell if I have the cold, flu, allergies or COVID-19?

  If you are exhibiting some symptoms and are unsure if it is the flu, allergies, cold or COVID-19, we recommend that you call your medical provider for medical advice. If you currently do not have a medical provider, you may call SHCS at 760-750-4915 for medical guidance. 

  COVID-19 Compared to Common Conditions

  Symptom	COVID-19	Common Cold	Flu	Allergies
  Fever	Common	Rare	Common	Sometimes
  Dry Cough	Common	Mild	Common	Sometimes
  Shortness of Breath	Common	No	No	Common
  Headaches	Sometimes	Rare	Common	Sometimes
  Aches and Pains	Sometimes	Common	Common	No
  Sore Throat	Sometimes	Common	Common	No
  Fatigue	Sometimes	Sometimes	Common	Sometimes
  Diarrhea	Rare	No	Sometimes*	No
  Runny Nose	Rare	Common	Sometimes	Common
  Sneezing	No	Common	no	Common

  * Sometimes in children

  Sources: CDC, WHO, American College of Allergy,  Asthma and Immunology
  
  
  

• What are the symptoms for COVID-19?

  Symptoms for COVID-19 have ranged from mild to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19. The following symtoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

  • Fever
  • Dry Cough
  • Shortness of Breath

  Call your medical provider for medical advice if you think you have been exposed. If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistant pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

  *This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any symptoms that are concerning.  Please visit CDC for more information: CDC: COVID19 Symptoms

• What do I do if I have some of the symptoms for COVID-19, but not all of them?

  If you suspect you are infected or have been exposed to COVID-19 follow the steps from the CDC guidelines to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.
  
  We recommend that you call your medical provider for medical advice. You can also connect with the following resources in San Diego County.
  
  We recommend calling the County Hotline, 211, for general guidance on COVID-19. 

• If I have any of the symptoms, can I still be seen at SHCS?

  If you currently have any  symptoms that you believe are related to having COVID-19, we recommend that you call you medical provider for medical advice. If you do not have a medical provider,  please call us at 760-750-4915 for medical guidance. 

   

• What should I do if I feel I was exposed, or came into contact with someone with COVID-19?

  If  you suspect you are infected or have been exposed to COVID-19, follow the steps from the CDC guidelines to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. 

• I don’t have insurance, where can I be seen? Can I still be seen with SHCS?

  SHCS provides basic medical coverage with your student health fee. Students can be seen at SHCS if they are a current CSUSM student. If there is a medical concern that is not within our scope of care such as COVID-19, we will refer you to a community medical provider. 

  Current locations that students and community members can contact relating to COVID-19 are:

  Community Medical Provider	Phone #
  North County Health Services	(760) 736-6767
  San Diego Scripps Health	(888) 261-8431
  Vista Community Clinic	(760) 407-1434
  Sharp HealthCare	(858) 499-2705
  Kaiser Permanente	(833) 574-2273
  UCSD Health	(619) 543-5678

• How does the COVID-19 virus spread?

   According to the CDC, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

  • Between people that 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 can possibly be inhaled into the lungs. 

  You can protect yourself by taking the following steps: 

  • Washing your hands often
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Avoid close contact. Practice social distancing. 
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Stay home if you're sick
  • Wear a facemask if you are sick
  • Clean and disinfect frquently touched surfaces daily

  Visit CDC for more information on how COVID-19 spreads and  ways to protect yourself.  

• Should I be wearing a facemask even if I am not sick?

  According to the CDC, if you are NOT sick, you do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers. 

• How can I protect myself, or my family/loved ones?

  You can protect yourself, family and loved ones by taking the following steps: 

  • Washing your hands often
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Avoid close contact. Practice social distancing. 
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Stay home if you're sick
  • Wear a facemask if you are sick
  • Clean and disinfect frquently touched surfaces daily

  Visit the CDC for handwashing techniques and ways to protect yourself and your family.

• How do I stay informed about COVID-19?

  For more information regarding COVID-19, visit these online resources. 

  County of San Diego Epidemiology Unit – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  www.coronavirus-sd.com
  
  California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch – COVID-19 www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx
  
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – COVID-19
  www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
  
  World Health Organization – Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/covid-19
  
  

• What do I do if I’m overwhelmed by everything going on throughout campus, and the media?

  If you are feeling overwhelmed and need to talk to someone, you may call us to schedule an Initial Consultation with a SHCS counselor at (760) 750-4915. If a counselor is unavailable or if it is afterhours, call (760) 750-4915, when prompted hit “9” for a phone counselor. Our contracted agency will take the call and forward information to us. This can be accessed 24/7.

• I am currently seeing a SHCS psychiatrist, will my appointments be cancelled?

  No, at this time, we are currently moving all appointments to a phone consult. You will be contacted by someone from SHCS for additional instructions. 

• If I already have a scheduled appointment with the SHCS psychiatrist, should I still come

   No, we have moved all appointments to phone consults. If you already have a scheduled appointment, you will be contacted by SHCS staff for further instructions. 

• If I have received a prescription from the SHCS psychiatrist, how should I get a refill?

   If you are an established patient and need a refill, please contact SHCS to schedule a phone appointment.

• Can I still schedule an Initial Consultation to speak with a counselor?

  Yes. All initial consultations will be conducted by phone. Please call 760-750-4915. Once you are scheduled for an initial consultation you will receive directions on how to complete the Initial Consultation paperwork.

• Can I still meet with my counselor for individual therapy?

  Yes, but at this time all individual sessions will be conducted by either phone or Zoom. Please discuss your needs with your current counselor.

• Are there issues with confidentiality using Zoom for my individual counseling sessions?

  Zoom is a HIPAA compliant platform and video is encrypted. Before starting online sessions with your counselor, please have them review the informed consent for online counseling.

• I would like to attend a counseling workshop. Is this possible?

  At this time, we have discontinued all workshops (this includes Taming the Anxious Mind, Getting Unstuck, Seeking Serenity, and Recognition, Insight and Openness (RIO). We are in the process of making these workshops available online and accessible at any time with the student workbook. Please check back in a few weeks.

• Is it possible to still join a counseling support group?

  At this time, most if not all, groups have been discontinued. If we are able to determine a sure way of maintaining the confidentiality of all participants, then some of the groups may start again. You can check with the appropriate facilitator to see what the plans are for their group moving forward.

• What if I have an emergency and need to talk to a counselor immediately?

  In the case of an acute crisis, you can call our main switchboard, 760-750-4915, and when prompted hit “9” for a phone counselor. Our contracted agency will take the call and forward information to us. This can be accessed 24/7.