COVID-19 Operations

Alert levels, Contact Tracing, and Quarantine

Campus Alert Levels

To simplify the range of operational approaches, the university will utilize five COVID-19 Alert Levels to indicate the severity of COVID-19 transmission and implications for institutional operations. These Alert Levels were informed by guidance from the UofSC Aiken Taskforce on Health Subcommittee, PreventingEpidemics.org, the CDC, current science and data, and current guidelines from the SC Department of Administration. These alert levels are fluid and may change as necessary.

Contact Tracing Procedures

UofSC Aiken’s Student Health Center and the Student Counseling Center play pivotal roles in COVID-19 mitigation and treatment efforts, develop new services, and create flexible staffing solutions to optimize medical and mental health responses in the face uncertainty during this novel pandemic. In addition to the pandemic response, these areas will continue to provide patient-centered care for episodic and chronic illnesses, injuries, counseling, preventative care, and wellness services.

Quarantine or Isolation

The on-campus quarantine space will be an alternate short-term living location for on-campus students—not a medical facility, and medical care will not be provided. Students experiencing worsening symptoms while in isolation may be referred to urgent care facilities or the emergency department for consideration of hospitalization.

Be Mindful

Tips for how to navigate campus life right now

Keep in Mind

If you think you may be positive for COVID-19 and are a student, call Student Health at 803-641-2840 or call the COVID-19 Helpline at 803-641-3271. DO NOT go to the Student Health Center. If you think you may be positive for COVID-19 and are faculty or staff, contact your primary care provider.

• If you test positive, stay home for 5 days regardless of vaccination status. If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house. Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
• If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and have been boosted or completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months or completed the primary series of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine within the last 2 months, wear a mask around others for 10 days. Test on day 5, if possible. If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home. 
• If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted or completed the primary series of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine over 2 months ago and are not boosted or are unvaccinated, stay home for 5 days. After that, continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. If you can't quarantine, you must wear a mask for 10 days. Test on day 5, if possible. If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.

Do

• Continue to self-monitor for symptoms.
• Be respectful of others and their individual comfort levels related to masking and distancing.
• Report all positive cases to the university COVID-19 Coordinators.
• Faculty should require the same documentation for excused absences related to COVID-19 that are required of other illnesses. For example, if a doctor’s excuse is required in order to miss a test or class for other illnesses, that does not change.

Resources

The latest guidelines and resources to help you navigate issues related to COVID-19

CDC

SC DHEC

WHO

USC School of Medicine

• CDC Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)
• South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control: COVID-19 guidance for colleges/universities
• South Carolina Risk Tracker
• mRNA Vaccines Explained
• Physicians for Informed Consent: Vaccine Efficacy and Safety
• Immunological memory to SARS-CoV-2
• Lasting immunity found after recovery from COVID-19
• Why Get Vaccinated flyer
• Masks Recommended sign

Contact Info

Need help or have concerns?

If you still have questions regarding the university's COVID-19 mitigation plan, reach out to via these means:

Community Members

Register for testing at http://www.impacthealth.com/sctesting. If you have any questions related to COVID-19 testing, please call 515-442-8353. 

University Members

If you have any questions related to reporting COVID-19, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The COVID-19 Helpline is also available at 803-641-3271 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..