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.
LATEST NEWS AND SCHEDULE CHANGES
- Please remember that the college will be closed for Winter Break from Thursday, Dec. 24 through Sunday, Jan 3. All offices and services will be closed during this time, including the Health Services office. If you leave a message for the Health Services office, your call will not be returned until staff returns to campus on Monday, Jan 4. If you feel ill during this time, remember:
- If it’s an emergency, call 911
- If it is not an emergency, call your physician
- You may also contact your county Health Department for guidance on symptoms or exposure to COVID-19, or call the NYS Coronavirus Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 with questions or concerns.
- Daily Health Screening hours have temporarily changed. From Monday, Dec. 21 through Wednesday, Dec. 23 and from Jan. 4 through Feb. 1, health screening hours will be from 7 a.m. to noon in the Parking Garage, Bulmer Telecommunications Center, and Williams Hall; from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Guenther Enrollment Services Center; and 24 hours a day at the Public Safety Office. During the college closure from Dec. 24 through Jan. 3, health screening for individuals who must come to campus (contractors, emergency workers, etc.) will be conducted only at the Public Safety Office.
- The college will not be conducting COVID-19 Pooled Surveillance Testing during the break. Testing will resume when Winter Session begins on Monday, January 4; mandatory testing for students on campus and available testing for faculty and staff will continue at that time.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL AND SAFETY REMINDERS
- Students, faculty, and staff who travel internationally, or travel to or from restricted states/regions as defined by New York State during this break must follow the New York State Travel Advisory requirements. This includes submitting the New York Traveler Health Form upon return to New York and following the guidance of the governing local health department on requirements for mandatory testing, quarantine/isolation, and timing of returning to campus. Travelers who are have not met the New York State Travel Advisory requirements may experience a delay in being allowed to return to campus after traveling.
- With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, please continue to take precautions during this break to protect the health and safety of yourself and others, including:
- STAY HOME IF YOU’RE SICK
- AVOID LARGE GATHERINGS
- WEAR FACE MASKS
- MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE
- WASH HANDS OFTEN
- DISINFECT HIGH-TOUCH SURFACES
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:
- 351 students, faculty and staff on campus participated in pooled surveillance testing this week.
- 5 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.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our campus community safe and healthy.
Published: Mon, 21 Dec 2020 13:05:45 +0000 by c.potvingiordano