Health Alert

Yes. As of July 28, 2021, Cal Maritime will require all cadets, staff and faculty to certify that they are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. The deadline for certifying your fully vaccinated status is August 31st, 2021. For further information see the Message from the President. Review the vaccination reminder memo to get the details.

COVID-19 vaccines are currently widely available.  Find a Covid-19 vaccine near you. 

Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are the most important intervention to end the pandemic.  

If you have any uncertainty about being vaccinated, the safety of vaccines, please read the science-based information at “Vaccinate with Confidence.” Please call the Student Health Center if you have further questions or concerns. 

https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov

Unvaccinated cadets will need to quarantine if they have been in close contact to someone with a COVID-19 infection for 14 days following their last exposure. Close contact is within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Fully vaccinated cadets do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated cadets will be tested at the Student Health Center 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they do not have symptoms. Cadets that live on campus will quarantine in a private room in Maritime North and be monitored regularly by SHC staff. Cadets that live off campus will not be able to attend in-person campus activities until cleared by SHC provider.

Vaccinated and unvaccinated cadets infected with COVID-19 will be placed in isolation in a private room in Maritime North. Typically isolation is for 10 days since symptoms first appeared or since the diagnosis of a COVID-19 infection. Student Health Center providers will monitor cadets in isolation and be responsible for removing a cadet from isolation when it is appropriate. Cadets that live off campus that have a COVID-19 infection, must remain off campus for 10 days following diagnosis or onset of symptoms and must be cleared by SHC providers before returning to in-person campus activities. 

Cadets in quarantine or isolation will be provided a note as needed from a provider at the Student Health Center to excuse absences from in person campus activities. 

Bela Matyas, MD, MPH is an Epidemiologist, Health Officer and Deputy Director of the Solano County Public Health Department.

Thoughout the pandemic, campus leadership, members of the Health and Safety Task Force and the Student Health Center have been meeting with Dr. Matyas to ensure that our operations on campus are as safe as possible.

Dr. Matyas had reassuring expertise to share with us this week:

* Recent data shows that asymptomatic vaccinated individuals infected with COVID-19 (breakthrough cases) are unlikely to transmit the infection to others.

*If you are vaccinated and have a symptomatic COVID-19 infection, you are most likely only infectious for 2-3 days, compared to 7-10 days for an unvaccinated person.

*Dr. Matyas also stated that individuals that are vaccinated and wearing a mask have extremely low risk for COVID-19 infection.

Recent studies and data show that vaccinated individuals are protected from severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.  

Information regarding the Delta variant is constantly being studied to understand how it is spreading and the CDC is updating recommendations for face coverings and other safety measures as we learn more.

Please visit the CDC website for updated communications. Currently the CDC is recommending masks for vaccinated and unvaccinated while indoors in communities with high infection rates. 

The CDC has a map with information regarding COVID-19 transmission levels by county.

On August 18, 2021, CDC releases statement regarding upcoming recommendation and approval for mRNA booster shots.

The NYTs discusses the likelyhood of a recommendation for a J&J booster shot.

Updated information from Yale University researchers.

New scientific data on how important wearing a mask is at preventing Covid transmission. 

Follow new data regarding children and the Delta Variant..

Read about how well the Covid-19 J&J vaccine has protected healthcare workers in Africa..

Latest updates from John Hopkins discussing importance of vaccines to prevent further surges.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for three 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. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history. Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Unvaccinated people should get vaccinated and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated. With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever.

Please visit the CDCs website for further information about the safety of the vaccines. 

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

Please stay aware of current campus requirements for face coverings and other precautions on campus. These requirements will change as needed to keep our campus community safe.

Effective August 22, 2021, all campus community members and visitors will be required to wear a face covering while indoors. This is outlined in President Cropper's August 19th message.

Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine will also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. 

It typically takes 2 weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19. That means it is possible a person could still get COVID-19 before or just after vaccination and then get sick because the vaccine did not have enough time to build protection.  

Up to date information is accessible at the CDC COVID-19 Website: CDC: How to Protect Yourself and Others

For students living on campus, read about tips for protecting yourself from COVID-19 (PDF).

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

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 currently have any symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, please call the Health Center and we can discuss management and decide 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.

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:

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

• Between people that are in close contact with one another.
• 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:

• GET VACCINATED!
• If you are not vaccinated, wear a facial covering and continue social distancing.
• Washing your hands often.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• 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.

For more information about COVID-19, visit these online resources:

California Department of Public Health COVID-19 Updates

Solano County COVID-19 Updates and Resources

CDC Facts about the Coronavirus

World Health Organization - Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19 Pandemic Info)

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.  Let the provider know that you are calling with mental health concerns.  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).

Yes. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is open throughout the year with via telephone, video, or in-person appointments .

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.