USF increases COVID-19 mitigation strategies as COVID-19 cases surge in the community and last updated 2021-01-13 07:25:53-05 TAMPA â Local doctors say concerns are growing over the potential for COVID-19 spread once the spring semester starts for colleges. With community cases surging across the Tampa Bay Area, experts worry that will translate to more cases on college campuses. The University of South Florida is adding extra mitigation efforts to limit transmission. The school is urging students and staff to complete the Daily Symptom Checker honestly and stay home if symptomatic or possibly exposed. Officials say failure to answer the survey truthfully could result in disciplinary action or dismissal.