Thirty-nine college students examined constructive for the coronavirus between March 14 and March 20, breaking a two-month downtrend, based on the USC COVID-19 Dashboard. The vast majority of circumstances are related to college students touring by air abroad to Mexico or by way of state strains to Florida to in style trip locations, which pose a big threat of an infection, the director of the division mentioned Thursday. well being, Dr. Sarah Van Orman, at a scholar press briefing.

“You do not simply journey someplace and keep there; you journey someplace for just a few days and you then come again, ”Van Orman mentioned. “Do not get on a aircraft and fly to Mexico, take a highway journey with three or 4 folks you reside with and keep bodily away.”

USC’s skill to self-discipline college students who violate public well being pointers is restricted as a result of they arrive into contact with a number of folks and infrequently disclose their actions, Van Orman mentioned.

“We’re not capable of implement the quarantine as a result of, sadly, these are individuals who stay off campus, in non-public residences,” Van Orman mentioned. “We actually must depend on folks to grasp the principles and perceive why they’re there.”

Van Orman mentioned Pupil Well being is presently monitoring the scenario, as a result of presence of extra contagious strains, such because the UK and New York variants.

“[The variant] had been a part of a gaggle of scholars who had by no means been contaminated earlier than, so that they’re susceptible, “Van Orman mentioned.” I believe we will proceed to see outbreaks with folks breaking the principles.

Both means, Van Orman mentioned college students are inspired to return to campus in the event that they adjust to the Trojan Examine and comply with county public well being pointers for quarantine ten days after journey, distancing social care, carrying a masks and disinfecting the arms.

“We actually need folks on campus and that is a part of why we actually need to advise folks on journey points,” Van Orman mentioned. “We would like issues to get again to regular.”

In a college-wide electronic mail on Tuesday, Provost Charles Zukoski detailed plans to additional open campus entry, equivalent to opening museums on campus, rising library entry and the provide of intramural and membership out of doors sports activities. Van Orman mentioned the person colleges are additionally planning to carry on-campus actions equivalent to wellness occasions, open workplace hours, Makerspaces the place college students of the varsity of structure can use 3D printers. and observe rooms for college students of the Thornton College of Music.

“Lots of it’s targeted on the educational alternatives for the scholars to come back,” Van Orman mentioned. “It actually will depend on the varsity, however there’s a complete vary of issues which can be presently geared toward permitting college students to get two issues: one, return to services that they didn’t have entry to, after which, two. , enable folks to come back collectively in small teams to have discussions and examine intervals. ”

USC will host an in-person launch ceremony for the 2020 and 2021 programs Could 14-25 on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, however Van Orman mentioned plans might change till Could 13 – USC actions rely on county pointers. . LA County entered the crimson tier on March 15, permitting some indoor venues like gyms, libraries and stadiums to reopen beneath diminished capability.

The launch will happen over a two-week interval to keep away from the county’s really useful extra inhabitants capability limits, Van Orman mentioned. Bodily contact can be restricted and seats can be allotted and separated by the family to keep away from transmission.

“There’s a good probability that there’s somebody with [coronavirus] over there, ”Van Orman mentioned. “We need to create a scenario the place you’ll be able to go and witness it and sit six ft away from somebody with [coronavirus] and never understanding… It is kinda unhappy, however we need to keep away from the issues that trigger folks to come back into shut contact.

For these planning to attend commencement, Van Orman recommends staying in isolation earlier than and after the occasion.

“If folks select to come back in to graduate, be very cautious,” Van Orman mentioned. “Do not get entangled, do not exit. Keep in your family models when in your departure location, then, upon your return, quarantine for 10 days. “