For up-to-date COVID-19 protocols, including Fall 2022 Health and Safety Guidelines, visit dccc.edu/coronavirus.
Updated COVID-19 Protocols
Fall 2022 Health & Safety Guidelines
September 8, 2022
Face Coverings & COVID-19 Vaccination
Vaccination
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer be required for students, faculty, and staff. However, certain divisions, such as Allied Health & Nursing, may have specific vaccine/masking requirements. The College strongly recommends that all students, faculty, and staff be fully vaccinated.
Mask-Optional
Masking is optional at all College locations. However, faculty have the option of requiring masks in their individual classrooms, labs, and offices. Students who refuse to wear a mask in a classroom/lab/office where required will be referred to the Student Conduct office. Mask expectations in individual offices of faculty and staff will be at the discretion of the host. Masks continue to be available in all classrooms/labs and facilities at all College locations.
Faculty, staff and students should respect the masking preferences of others when meeting in offices or smaller spaces.
Sanitizing & Cleaning Protocols
- All students and employees should wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout all College locations.
- The College will continue with the enhanced cleaning protocols to include, but not limited to, the cleaning of classrooms, laboratories and computer labs.
Procedures for Possible Exposure to COVID-19
| If you Were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 or have been told by a healthcare provider or public health authority that you were exposed, here are the steps that you should take, regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection. |
Start Precautions Immediately Start Counting from Day 1. Day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure. |
Continue Precautions Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. Watch for symptoms: If you develop symptoms: |
Get Tested Continue taking precautions through Day 10. If you test POSITIVE: Isolate immediately and follow procedures. |
| For more information on what to do if exposed to COVID-19, please visit the CDC website. | |||
Procedures for Positive COVID-19 Diagnosis
| If you Tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status |
Stay home for at least 5 days Wear a well-fitting mask if you must be around others in your home. Do not travel |
Ending isolation if you had symptoms End isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving. Ending isolation if you did NOT have symptoms End isolation after 5 full days after your positive test. If you got very sick from COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system You should isolate for at least 10 days. Consult your doctor before ending isolation. |
Take precautions until day 10 Do not travel Avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 |
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Calculating Isolation |
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For more information on Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19, please visit the CDC website. |
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COVID-19 Positive Student
- A student with a positive COVID-19 test result must stay home and immediately notify faculty teaching any in-person/hybrid class the student is currently enrolled in.
- Faculty will immediately notify their dean (full-time faculty) or assistant dean (adjunct faculty)
- The dean or assistant dean will contact all the students in the class, copy the faculty member and notify the COVID-19 positive student to quarantine
- Students who test positive for COVID will follow the ISOLATION guidelines above.
- Class will continue in the traditional classroom or hybrid modality for all other students.
- The COVID-19 positive student will continue attending class virtually through the quarantine period (if physically able)
- Faculty are encouraged to work with the COVID-19 positive student to ensure academic progress consistent with established practices for other typical student illnesses
COVID-19 Positive Faculty and Staff
- Staff and faculty who are diagnosed with COVID-19 should immediately notify their supervisor or dean, who will contact the Human Resources office at [email protected] to determine how best to assist the staff or faculty member. Adjunct faculty should notify their assistant dean to follow the same process.
Students and employees are required to direct all COVID-19 related questions and/or concerns to the Human Resources office at [email protected].
Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a rare, contagious disease caused by the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to those of smallpox, but milder and rarely fatal.
To learn about the symptoms, spread, prevention, treatment, vaccination and more about monkeypox, you may visit the following websites.
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Delaware County Health Department
- Chester County Health Department
Mental Health & Well-Being
- The College has resources available to help support mental and emotional well-being. Students in need of assistance should contact the Career and Counseling Center. Employees in need of assistance should contact the College’s Employee Assistance Program.
- The College values the importance of student engagement and participation in clubs, activities, athletics, wellness programs, etc. Please encourage students to connect with the Offices of Campus Life and/or Wellness, Athletics, and Recreation to find out more about how to get involved and stay connected with the campus community.