Health Information for The Claremont Colleges Community

This site provides important updates of infectious diseases, travel warnings, and other public health issues, including The Claremont Colleges' operations and policies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Home2024-01-29T10:04:44-08:00

Latest News

Spring 2024 COVID Testing

Dear Students,
Student Health Services (SHS) has an important update regarding COVID-19 testing procedures. Effective immediately, rapid antigen tests are now exclusively accessible through a SHS Lab Visit. Schedule a Lab Visit via My Health Portal or call SHS at 909-621-8222. Results will be posted to your My Health Portal within an hour after your visit. Appointments are required; walk-ins will be accommodated in open appointment times as available.

Please be advised that the COVID test kit vending machines, previously stationed, are no longer available. All undergraduate students at The Claremont Colleges can receive COVID tests for free exclusively at Student Health Services.

The health and well-being of students remain SHS’s top priority, and your attention to this transition is greatly appreciated. Wishing students a joyful and healthy spring semester.

January 12th, 2024|

Guidance & Testing

Students
If you are not feeling well, please contact your regular healthcare provider or call Student Health Services at (909) 621-8222 for guidance.

For health emergencies, call 911 or campus safety at (909) 607-2000 or (909) 607-7233.

Faculty & Staff
If you are not feeling well, please contact your healthcare provider.

For health emergencies, call 911 or campus safety at (909) 607-2000 or (909) 607-7233.

How can I help prevent illness?

Prevention measures are similar to those utilized against the common cold and flu.

Get a flu shot. Undergraduate students are required to have a seasonal influenza vaccine and provide proof of vaccination.

While it will not prevent COVID-19, initial flu symptoms can be similar to COVID-19. Contact Student Health Services at 909-621-8222 to schedule an appointment.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Don’t share food and drinks.
  • Clean and disinfect shared surfaces and objects that are touched frequently (e.g. door knobs, desks, phones).
  • If you can, avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

I am feeling stressed and overwhelmed, who can I talk to?

Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services (MCAPS) is dedicated to TCC student emotional health and can be reached 24/7 at 909-621-8202. MCAPS also offers tele-therapy for students living in California.

Students can also reach out to 7C.Health for 24/7 on-demand telemedicine counseling visits.

Employees should reach out to their primary care providers and/or mental health providers.

Employees can also reach out to their Human Resources departments to see if they qualify for any counseling sessions under an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Employees (7Cs/TCCS) – Contact your Human Resources team for testing resources.

Undergraduate Students (5Cs) – COVID tests are now available through SHS Lab Visits. Schedule your Lab Visit through My Health Portal or call SHS at 909-621-8222.

COVID tests are also available at Campus Safety, which operates 24/7, offering a convenient after-hours service.

Campus Safety
101 South Mills Avenue
Claremont, CA, 91711

Graduate Students (CGU/KGI)

CGU – Resources are noted on the Dean of Students website under Health, Wellness and Emergency.

KGI – Contact the KGI Student Affairs at student_services@kgi.edu for testing resources.

Undergraduate Students (5Cs)

Beginning in the spring semester of 2024, rapid antigen tests are now accessible through an Student Health Services (SHS) Lab Visit.

Schedule a Lab Visit via My Health Portal or call SHS at 909-621-8222. Results will be posted to your My Health Portal within an hour after your visit. Appointments are required; walk-ins will be accommodated in open appointment times as available.

COVID tests are also available at Campus Safety, which operates 24/7, offering a convenient after-hours service.

Please be advised that the COVID test kit vending machines, previously stationed, are no longer available. All undergraduate students at The Claremont Colleges can receive COVID tests for free at Student Health Services and Campus Safety.

Graduate Students (CGU/KGI)

CGU – Resources are noted on the Dean of Students website under Health, Wellness and Emergency.

KGI – Contact the KGI Student Affairs at student_services@kgi.edu for testing resources.

Results will be posted to your My Health Portal within an hour after your lab visit. Appointments are required; walk-ins will be accommodated in open appointment times as available.

LACPDH has updated its isolation requirements as follows:

  1. If asymptomatic, no isolation required – must still wear mask for 10 days when around others
  2. If symptomatic, isolate only until there is no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines and symptoms are mild/improving (i.e., no more minimum 5 day isolation period) – must still wear mask for 10 days when around others regardless of how early you leave isolation

COVID-19 FAQs

What are variants?2023-08-29T11:30:31-07:00

Many viruses frequently change through mutation. These mutations add up and create slightly different versions of the virus, called “variants.” Sometimes new variants appear and then disappear. Other times, new variants stay around. They are called variants of concern if there is evidence that they spread more easily, cause more serious illness, are harder to detect, treat or prevent with vaccines. Scientists continue to study and track these variants as they evolve.

Many variants of COVID-19 have emerged in the United States. At this point, the original version of the virus that was spreading in January 2020 is no longer circulating.

LACDPH Data Dashboard

What public health agency covers The Claremont Colleges?2023-08-29T11:26:50-07:00
The Claremont Colleges are within the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Health Department. We follow evidence-based national guidelines. We must also work within and follow Los Angeles County ordinances.
You can find out more information about COVID in Los Angeles County here:
Whom do I contact in a medical emergency?2023-08-29T11:09:51-07:00

On-campus call Campus Safety at 909-607-2000 (x72000)

Off-campus call 911 immediately

I heard that I no longer need to test negative before leaving isolation. Is this true?2023-03-13T11:12:44-07:00

Yes, this is correct. Effective March 13, 2023, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health no longer requires proof of a negative viral test to leave isolation. As long as your symptoms are mild and improving, and you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines, contact tracing should be able to release you from isolation after speaking with you on Day 6. However, you will still be required to wear a well-fitting mask over your mouth and nose when around others, especially indoors, even after your isolation ends, until Day 11.

Where can I get an antigen test?2023-03-13T10:43:27-07:00

You can receive at-home antigen tests through:

  • Your insurance company (most insurances are required to cover the costs of up to 8 at-home antigen tests per month)
  • https://www.covid.gov/tests – you may be eligible to receive a limited quantity of test kits directly from the federal government, delivered by the United States Postal Service
  • Purchase from pharmacies (e.g. Hendricks, CVS, Walgreens), other retailers (e.g., Walmart and Target), or online (e.g., Amazon)

SHS does not distribute any at-home antigen test kits. However, antigen testing may be performed for students during a visit with a SHS provider if they suspect their symptoms may be due to COVID-19.

How is TCC encouraging members of campus to be respectful of an individual’s choice to wear a mask?2022-08-26T11:21:35-07:00

TCC supports the personal choice to wear a mask as an effective strategy for individuals seeking to protect themselves and their colleagues from COVID-19. We encourage anyone who wishes to wear a mask to do so and will continue to have KN95 masks available for pickup around campuses.

We recognize that some people may not be ready to stop wearing masks while others are eager to do so. Please continue to be compassionate and respectful of personal decisions regarding masking that fall within TCC’s regulations. Masks remain required in SHS and MCAPS.

Where can I get more information about COVID-19?2022-08-26T11:19:52-07:00
How can I reduce my risk of exposure to COVID-19?2022-08-26T11:15:46-07:00

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. Wearing face masks provide proven protection against the spread of illness as masks provide an extra layer to help prevent the respiratory droplets from traveling in the air and onto other people.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?2021-01-27T02:03:18-08:00

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Please note that this list does not include all possible COVID-19 symptoms.

What are some emergency warning signs of a COVID-19 infection?2021-01-27T02:02:06-08:00

Some of the emergency warning signs* for COVID-19 are listed below. If someone is showing any of these signs, they should seek emergency medical care immediately

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

*This list is not inclusive of all the possible emergency symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

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