Health & Safety (Respiratory Viruses) Resources & Campus Guidelines

Updated November 1, 2024

As we have regathered for the fall term, and with the winter fast approaching, it’s time to remind everyone about our health and safety protocols. If you are an employee or student, we continue to follow the health order established by the Santa Clara County Public Health department and the California Department of Industrial Relations. November 1 through March 31 is the Designated Winter Respiratory Virus Period when local or institutional data suggest high risk to patients, students or employees.

Particle air purifiers with MERV-13 or better air filtration capabilities have been distributed around campus. Please click on the links below to learn about the current mask requirements and guidelines for the PAU campuses.

Individuals with respiratory viruses may be infectious for around 10 days after they become sick or test positive. Isolation is recommended until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and their symptoms are mild and improving. Please use an N95 or KN95 mask for the full 10 days, and avoid contact with the most vulnerable people in our communities, including older adults, people who are immunocompromised, have certain disabilities or underlying health conditions, and are otherwise at increased risk of getting severe COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

Both students and employees are required to report either a positive COVID-19 test and/or an exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19. Please report your exposure or positive test to peopleoperations@paloaltou.edu.