As part of our ongoing efforts to protect the health of our community, the college’s Health Services office is continuing to provide a weekly update for students, faculty and staff to share COVID-19 testing results and reports of positive cases (on or off campus), as well as important reminders and resources to be aware of during the ongoing pandemic.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- New York State has now expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility guidelines to include all individuals over the age of 16. While it is not currently required for students and employees to be vaccinated, it is strongly encouraged to protect the health and safety of our campus community. Those who would like to sign up can schedule an appointment at a state vaccination site by utilizing New York’s New York’s “Am I Eligible?” website or by calling the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). If you would like to learn more about COVID-19 vaccination, SUNY’s “Know Your Vax” website offers information from medical experts and community leaders throughout New York State.
- Weekly COVID-19 testing continues for all students, faculty and staff coming to campus. Testing hours and locations, as well as detailed information on the testing process, can still be found on the college’s Pooled Surveillance Testing webpage. Please be reminded that all individuals must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose at all times while on campus, including when outdoors and when socially distanced.
- I am pleased to share that the number of COVID-19 cases within our campus community has remained low throughout the majority of the spring semester, and that the vast majority of students and employees on campus have done an excellent job of complying with weekly testing policies. Still, we must continue to be vigilant; so if you plan to come to campus for any reason, please take a moment to review the safety policies on the college’s COVID-19 webpage, and continue to stay home if you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19; if you feel sick in any way; or if you have tested positive or been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past two weeks. Keep up the good work as we continue to do all we can to protect the health and safety of our campus community!
CURRENT STATISTICS
SUNY’s COVID-19 tracking website provides data updated daily on COVID-19 cases and testing. During the past week, at Hudson Valley Community College:
- 1696 students, faculty and staff on campus participated in pooled surveillance testing.
- 2 of those individuals tested positive to date.
- 1 individual reported testing positive through testing administered off campus.
COLLEGE RESPONSE
Please know that all individuals who have tested positive are isolating/quarantining off-campus until cleared to return by county and college health officials. As always, enhanced cleaning and disinfection has been completed in areas occupied by individuals testing positive for COVID-19 as well as areas occupied by individuals reporting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 who later tested negative. In accordance with health privacy laws, we cannot provide any personally identifying information about these individuals. College administrators work proactively and directly with county health departments to offer guidance and support to anyone affected by the virus. If contact tracing determines that you may have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19, a county health official or the college’s Health Services staff will contact you. You do not need to take any action unless you hear from them directly.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Detailed information on Hudson Valley’s COVID-19 safety measures and protocols are available on the college’s COVID-19 webpage. You may also contact your county health department for guidance, and or the NYS Coronavirus Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 with questions or concerns.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Please continue to keep these basic safety protocols in mind when you’re on campus:
- STAY HOME IF YOU’RE SICK
- COMPLETE DAILY HEALTH SCREENING
- PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY POOLED TESTING
- WEAR FACE MASKS
- MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE
- WASH HANDS OFTEN
- DISINFECT HIGH-TOUCH SURFACES
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our campus community safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Claudine Potvin-Giordano
Director, College Health Services
(518) 629-7468
healthservice@hvcc.edu
Published: Mon, 19 Apr 2021 12:00:46 +0000 by c.potvingiordano