Institutes of Higher Education

• All Institutes of Higher Education (IHE) should review and follow the Guidance for IHE - Requirements and Best Practices (under revision) English | Español
• All IHE must comply with COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards established by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standard Board (Cal/OSHA).
• Any performances or other large events that meet the LA County Department of Public Health's (DPH) definition of a Mega Event should follow current guidance. For guidance on commencement ceremonies, see the FAQs.

• This Exposure Management Plan (EMP) for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) (updated 7/29/22) English | Español details action steps to take after you have identified a COVID-19 positive case in your institution. Immediate implementation of the EMP after identifying a single case of COVID-19 at the IHE campus can accelerate the ability to contain spread of COVID-19 and prevent a single case from becoming an outbreak at the site.

Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) are required to notify LAC Department of Public Health of all employees, students, and visitors with confirmed COVID-19 who were on campus at any point within the 14 days prior to their illness onset date. The illness onset date is the first date COVID-19 symptoms started, or the COVID-19 test date, whichever is earlier. All case notifications should be submitted to DPH within 1 business day of being notified of the case. To complete this reporting requirement, the IHE must utilize one of the reporting methods described below.

• Online reporting: All IHE-associated COVID-19 cases should be reported online through the secure web application, Shared Portal for Outbreak Tracing (SPOT). This can be done on a computer or mobile device by accessing SPOT.
  • Update: The SPOT Portal was updated on July 20, 2022 with enhancements designed to streamline the COVID-19 case reporting process and allow for more flexibility for SPOT liaisons. Specific details regarding these enhancements to SPOT are listed on this one-page summary and highlighted in this SPOT 2.0 Demo Video.
  • This online reporting training video walks you through the process of submitting an online report for COVID-19 cases and contacts at your Institution.
  • A recording of the introductory session for IHE liaisons is available here. The accompanying slides are located here.
  • This FAQ provides answers to commonly asked questions as well as additional links to training materials and resources.
•  Reporting Multiple Cases: If the IHE is reporting multiple cases, there is an option available to submit reports using Excel through the “Bulk Upload Template” located within the SPOT Portal.
  • This training video walks you through the process of filling out and submitting the Excel COVID-19 Case and Contact Line List for reporting to DPH via the SPOT portal.
  • This data dictionary (updated 5/1/22 - English | Spanish) describes each of the items of information (variables) that are collected as part of case reporting when using the Excel line list.

• Notification Letter Guides
  • Sample notification letters (English | Spanish) can be tailored to your institution's needs.  Descriptions of each sample letter are below.
    1. Isolation Notification Letter for IHE Sites: Notification letter for staff and/or students who need to isolate due to a positive COVID-19 viral test result.
    2. Exposure Notification Letter for IHE Sites: Notification letter for staff and/or students who had an exposure to a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period while on campus or at a campus-associated event.
    3. General Exposure Notification Letter for IHE Sites: Notification letter for the general IHE community of an exposure that has occurred on campus and steps being taken to prevent spread.
• Exposure Notice
  • This exposure notice is intended to make people aware that they may have been in close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19.

• Ventilation
• CDC Interactive School Ventilation Tool
• CDPH guidance on improving indoor air quality in schools Webpage | English PDF |  Spanish PDF
• DPH Best Practices for Gymnasium Ventilation to Reduce the Risk of COVID-19 - one page guide with checklist and diagram.
• COVID-19 Vaccine
  • VaccinateLAcounty.com (English) and VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish) provide information on COVID-19 vaccines, including how to get the vaccine in Los Angeles County, vaccine safety, authorized vaccines, data, and information for providers.
  • For information regarding vaccine booster doses for students vaccinated outside the United States, see current CDC recommendations.
• Employee and Student Screening
  • Symptom screening of employees, volunteers, and contract workers can be part of an organization's strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19 at the worksite. This entry screening document (updated 5/17/22) English | Español provides some guidance and a sample screening template for evaluating an employee before they enter the worksite. Additional languages can also be found here.
  • Staff who have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19 must follow all return-to-work requirements.
• Guidance for Masks
  • ph.lacounty.gov/masks (English) and ph.lacounty.gov/mascarillas (Spanish) provide public health information on how to use face masks effectively. Refer to the Cal/OSHA ETS for updates on masking requirements and recommendations in the workplace.
• Physical Distancing
  • Refer to the Cal/OSHA ETS for updates on physical distancing requirements and recommendations in the workplace.   
• Reduce Risk of COVID-19
  • ph.lacounty.gov/reducerisk (English) and ph.lacounty.gov/reduceriskspanish (Spanish) provide information to help people understand who is most at risk of getting infected and sick, which situations are riskier, and what steps to take to stay safe and slow the spread of COVID-19.
• Traveling During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • This Los Angeles County Department of Public Health travel guidance provides up to date travel information during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Cleaning and Disinfection
  • It's important to ensure that cleaning practices in your facility are enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This matrix provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of rooms or areas. These guidelines are focused on non-healthcare facilities such as schools, institutions, offices, daycare centers, businesses, and community centers that do not house persons overnight. The cleaning matrix is available in multiple languages here.
• Serving food
  • For information, see the Best Practices to Prevent COVID-19 for Businesses and Employers Food and Beverage Services webpage.

• Access to Healthcare Services
  • Families who need health insurance can learn about comprehensive free and low-cost health coverage on this DPSS website. Families who need help finding a doctor can call the 24/7 helpline at 2-1-1 or visit 211LA.org.
• Financial Aid During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• The State of California provides additional information about the state financial aid package and guidance at the California Student Aid Commission.
• LA County COVID-19 Supportive Services
  • LA County is committed to supporting our most vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources at covid19.lacounty.gov include programs for rental relief, food assistance, access to healthcare and other services.
• Information for Immigrants
  • The Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs provides answers to common questions about COVID-19 and guidance on testing and treatment services, available to all regardless of immigration status. If you have questions about immigration, visit oia.lacounty.gov or call 1-800-593-8222.

• COVID-19 Testing Guidance
  • For information on the basics of COVID-19 testing, including the different types of tests, when to test, and understanding test results, visit ph.lacounty.gov/covidtests.
• How to get free COVID-19 tests
  • For information on how to get free tests, including at-home kits and testing at LA County sponsored test sites, visit ph.lacounty.gov/covidtests/how.
• Testing requirements at work
  • For information about testing requirements for employers, including when they have to offer testing to employees at no cost and during paid time, see the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards FAQs - testing section.
  • For more information, see the 2022 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave FAQs.

• COVID-19 FAQs
  • These FAQs provide background information about COVID-19 including how to identify symptoms, get tested and prevent the spread of the virus. Additional languages can be found here.

  • COVID-19 vaccine FAQs

• CDC Colleges and University Guidance Website
  • This link provides access to the CDC landing page for colleges, universities and higher learning guidance. From here, you can navigate to all available higher education guidance that CDC offers, including how IHEs can help protect students and employees (e.g., faculty, staff, and administrators) and slow the spread of COVID-19.

• Emotional Wellbeing During a Pandemic
  • The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) supports the wellbeing of everyone of our communities. This COVID-19 information home provides mental health resources for LA County residents. LACDMH's 24/7 Help Line at (800) 854-7771 is available to provide mental health support, resources and referrals.
• Free iPrevail Access
  • LA County residents have free access to iPrevail.com, an online mental health resource to help with life's everyday stressors. After a short assessment, you are connected to customized support to meet your needs. Options include:
    • on-demand chat with trained Peer Coaches;
    • self-paced lessons on a variety of topics to improve wellbeing; and
    • community support groups.
  iPrevail is offered in English and Spanish and is available 24/7 from any smart device.
• LACDMH is also a part of PsychHub's COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Hub, which provides free resources to help people address their mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Coping with Stress - CDC webpage with resources for individuals