Health Alert

Please visit the CSUM web page: www.csum.edu/alert/covid-19/ for updates on COVID-19 status on campus. Please follow all recommended transmission precautions to keep our community safe.

Key Information

The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on 3/11/2020. We encourage the campus community to keep informed with facts, avoid panic, and take the advised precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Cal Maritime Student Health Center is actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates based subsequent guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health, and local health departments.

All active Cal Maritime cadets, employees, and designated support personnel can sign-up immediately. Vaccinations will be administered in mid-March with a second dose in April. Sign-up closes Sunday, February 21, at midnight.

Sign up to reserve a vaccination

Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are one of the most important interventions to end the COVID-19 pandemic. California is working hard to be transparent, careful, and above all, equitable in efforts to provide a COVID-19 vaccine to everyone in California who needs and requests vaccination.  Read more.

If you have any uncertainty about being vaccinated, the safety of vaccines, or the importance to you and those around you, please read the science-based information and “Vaccinate with Confidence.” Our Director of Student Health Services, Dr. Grace Chou, Nurse Practitioner Heather Hutchinson, Police Chief, Donny Gordon, TSGB Captain Sam Pecota, and many others on campus have already received the COVID-19 vaccination. They report that the main side effect is an immense sense of relief and decreased anxiety.

A frequently asked questions (FAQs) section has been put together at COVID Update page

  • If you have been scheduled for or received one or both COVID vaccinations, it would be helpful if you let us know so, we have a more accurate list. You can email information directly to covid19hs@csum.edu

  • How do I sign up? Register at Sign-up form. You must have an active login and Cal Maritime email address. If you believe you are a designated support person, please contact your on-campus supervisor to assist. Supervisors that are uncertain can email covid19hs@csum.edu
  • Who can receive the vaccine? All active cadets, employees, and designated support personnel can receive the vaccine and are encouraged to participate.
  • Can I receive a vaccine if I am currently participating virtually? Yes, you can receive the vaccine as long as you can physically get to the Cal Maritime campus on both vaccination days.
  • When will the vaccination clinics happen? The specific dates are still being finalized and are anticipated to be in mid-March, with the second in early April. You will receive those details via email as soon as they are available.
  • Can my friends, family, or roommates receive the vaccination through Cal Maritime? Unfortunately, only if they are active cadets, employees, or designated support personnel are they eligible.
  • What if I am unsure about receiving the vaccine? We hope you will read the information about the safety and effectiveness and decide to participate. If you sign up and change your mind later, there is no penalty other than remaining unprotected from becoming ill later, still having to quarantine for cruise, etc.
  • Where will the vaccine be administered? The initial injection and booster will be administered on the Cal Maritime campus. This is likely to take place at the PEAC, but further information will be provided to those who sign-up.
  • Who is administering the vaccine? Professional staff deployed by Solano County will administer the vaccine. They will be medical professionals from either Kaiser Permanente or Optiserve.
  • Which vaccine will be provided? Our community will be receiving either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. They are comparable, and more information on each can be found here.
  • Am I required to get a vaccine for Covid-19? No, but we strongly recommend this safe, effective means of stopping the spread of the virus.

PDF: CDC Common FAQS about the COVID-19 Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for two COVID-19 vaccines which have been shown to be safe and effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials. These data demonstrate that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine outweigh the known and potential harms of becoming infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19).

The CDC has excellent information and resources, please visit their site for more information.

Call the Student Health Center at (707) 654-1170 and we will be happy to help answer your questions.

No, you will not be able to stop following all precautions. There is not enough data yet to know if the vaccine prevents people from being able to spread the virus. So, even though you are protected from getting the virus, you may still be able to transmit the virus. We will be learning more about this over time, but for now, we must continue to use all precautions.

After the 1st does of the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine, 70% immunity to COVID-19 will be reached in approximately 14 days. After the second dose, 94-95% immunity will be reached in 8-10 days.

Yes. CDC recommends that you get vaccinated even if you have already had COVID-19, because you might become infected more than once. While you may have some short-term antibody protection after recovering from COVID-19, we don’t know how long that protection will last.

Recent studies do not clearly show the vaccines are less effective against the new variants but this is an issue currently being addressed by scientists.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is caused by a novel (new) coronavirus.  Coronaviruses are a particular class of viruses. 

SARS-COV-2 is the name of the virus that causes the disease, COVID-19.

Respiratory illnesses affect the lungs and airways.

We do have testing available at the Student Health Center. If you have questions about being tested for COVID-19, we can discuss if testing is warranted and help arrange testing. Please call the Student Health Center immediately if you have symptoms or exposure at (707) 654-1170. Information about COVID-19 testing in Solano County can be accessed online at: Solano County Community Testing Sites.

If you are exhibiting symptoms and are unsure if it is the flu, allergies, cold or COVID-19, we recommend that you call the Student Health Center as soon as possible at (707) 654-1170 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
New loss of taste and/or smell Sometimes No No Rare
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

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to severe. Frequently there are no symptoms even though the person is infected and contagious. A smaller percentage of infected individuals will have severe symptoms. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

If you develop severe symptoms of COVID-19, this may indicate the need for immediate emergency medical attention. Emergency warning signs include*:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent chest pain or pressure
  • New confusion
  • inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

*This is not a complete list of possible symptoms. Please consult your medical provider for any concerning symptoms. Visit the CDC website for more information: Symptoms of the Coronavirus

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

We recommend that you call the Student Health Center at (707) 654-1170. You can also connect with the following resources in Solano County:

Solano County COVID-19 Updates and Resources

The Solano County COVID-19 Warmline number is (707) 784-8988.

If you currently have any symptoms that you believe are related to having COVID-19, please call the Health Center and we can discuss management and if an appointment is necessary. Video and phone appointments are available as well as in-person appointments when necessary. Please call us at (707) 654-1170 for medical guidance.

Contact the Student Health Center at (707) 654-1170 or contact the Solano County COVID-19 Warmline for advice at (707) 784-8988.

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

Students can be seen at SHC if they are a current CSUMA student. We offer basic medical advise and care, if symptoms are severe and further care is needed, we may refer you to a community medical provider.

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

Community Medical Provider Phone number
Solano County Family Health Services (707) 553-5509
Kaiser Permanente Vallejo (707) 651-1000
Sutter Solano Medical Center (707) 554-4444

 

According to the CDC, the virus is 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 possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
  • According to the CDC, a close contact is someone you have been within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more cumulatively over a 24 hour period.

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 are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.

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

 

You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.

Everyone should wear a face covering when they have to go out in public.

Continue to keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others. The face covering is not a substitute for social distancing.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and need to talk to someone, you may call us to schedule an appointment with a CAPS counselor at (707) 654-1170. If it is after hours, call (707) 654-1170 and when prompted select “1” to be connected to an advice nurse. This is available 24/7.

If you are having suicidal thoughts and/or are in a mental health crisis, please call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK (8255).

No. CAPS services remain available throughout the week during our normal operating hours. At this time, all CAPS appointment are by telephone or video only.

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.