Respiratory Viruses and Symptoms

Dear Cal Lutheran Faculty and Staff,

Thank you for all you are doing to help keep our campus safe as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. While we have a ways to go before the pandemic is over, we are fortunately seeing a weekly reduction in COVID-19 cases both at the county level and on our campuses. At the same time, however, we are also seeing an increase in other respiratory viruses, colds, and flus.

This week, the California Department of Public Health issued a Health Advisory Notice about an increase in respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 circulating in California. Because of this, we reiterate Cal Lutheran’s policy regarding individuals with COVID symptoms, which often mimic the symptoms of other respiratory viruses.

All students, staff, and faculty with symptoms of COVID, such as cough, sore throat, and fever, should avoid going to class or coming to work until all of the following are met:

1. Receive a negative COVID test.
2. Symptoms are improving.
3. No fever in the prior 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications.

Free COVID-19 testing sites are listed at https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/coronavirus-testing/

Even if you test negative for COVID, please stay home until your symptoms are improving. The symptoms do not need to be entirely gone. As many of us have experienced, sometimes symptoms of a respiratory virus can last for weeks, long after the contagious period has ended. However, to limit the spread of illness on campus, we do ask that you stay home until your symptoms are improving.

Additionally, Health Services recommends getting your annual Flu Shot, washing your hands often, and cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces often. Consistent mask wearing indoors will also help limit the spread of colds and flus, in addition to COVID-19.  

As a reminder, if you have a COVID-19 exposure or test positive for COVID-19, please email COVID19reporting@callutheran.edu.

Thank you,

Saul Miller, PhD, PA-C
Interim Director of Health Services