Highlights
- All known CC student cases, regardless of whether exposure occurred at CC, appear on the CC COVID-19 dashboard.
- Moving to mask-optional TODAY
- CDC’s updated masking guidance
- Adjusted screening testing protocols
- Symptomatic testing available today in South Commons
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Mask-Optional Policy Begins TODAY
In case you missed Monday’s announcement, the CC campus moved to a mask-optional policy beginning today, Tuesday, March 1. Updated CDC masking guidance announced last week recommends indoor masking in areas of “high risk” and mask-optional in areas where risk is “medium and low.” Under the CDC’s new risk metrics, an area is deemed “high” risk if it has concerning levels of COVID hospital admissions and hospital capacity taken up by COVID patients. El Paso County is currently in the “medium” risk category.
This shift to mask-optional will be a welcome change for some and cause for concern for others, for a variety of important reasons. Adjust to this new policy at a pace that feels comfortable to you:
- Continue wearing masks indoors for as long as you feel comfortable. N95-type masks are the most protective.
- Faculty, staff, or students may ask others to wear masks in the classroom, office, or meeting space. Please respect these requests.
- Isolation and quarantine protocols remain the same, including the masking guidance.
- If you are not up to date with vaccination you should wear a mask in public indoor spaces, in accordance with CDC guidance.
- People who are at high risk of severe illness should talk to their healthcare provider about whether to wear a mask.
- People with symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
- The college will continue to provide KN95 masks while supplies are available.
- CC’s mask-optional policy extends to all public events.
- As always, show respect and consideration for the health concerns of others.
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CDC Updates Mask Guidance
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On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced it is relaxing its mask guidance for communities where hospitals aren’t under high strain. Under the new guidance, nearly 70% of the U.S. population lives in areas considered to be low or medium risk and residents there are advised they can go indoors without masks. The CDC recommends continued mask use in communities where serious cases of COVID-19 are straining the health system. Regardless of local conditions, people should mask if they have COVID-19 symptoms, a positive test, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
The new guidelines for assessing community risk weigh hospitalizations for COVID-19 and the proportion of beds occupied by COVID-19 patients in local hospitals more heavily than rates of new infections alone. Previously, CDC said masking indoors was advised in parts of the country with “substantial or high” spread of the virus, which it defined as 50-100 or more new weekly cases per 100,000 people. Under the CDC’s new risk metrics, an area is deemed “high” risk if it has concerning levels of COVID hospital admissions and hospital capacity taken up by COVID patients. Many public health experts say the shift in guidance makes sense — in the context of declining case rates and the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines. El Paso County is currently categorized as “medium” risk; mask wearing is not required.
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Changes to Screening Testing Protocols
We are adapting screening testing protocols in response to lower incidence and positivity rates. Starting now, 33% of vaccinated students will participate in weekly screening testing. Students with exemptions will continue testing twice weekly in alignment with CDC guidance. Screening testing is an important component of the move to make mask-optional on campus. Results will continue to inform adjustments to COVID protocols.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to continue with screening testing and may obtain up to two tests (one BinaxNow test kit containing two tests or two FlowFlex tests) from the Worner Desk each week, while supplies last. To help keep track of inventory, please fill out this test kit request form. All positive test results must be self-reported via Qualtrics.
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Get Tested If You Have Symptoms of COVID-19
Symptomatic COVID testing is available today, 1-4 p.m. in South Commons. No appointment is necessary. A provider appointment will be scheduled after the test. Students may also contact the Student Health Center at (719) 389-6384 to make an appointment with a provider for COVID testing (location and hours here). No co-pay is needed. They can also help you with a range of other tests and treatment to help you recover as quickly as possible. Employees should contact their healthcare provider to determine what tests and treatment are appropriate. They should also contact their supervisor.
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Article Highlights College Students’ Resilience
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended higher education for almost two years now. Students nationwide have reported dramatic and sustained increases in their levels of moderate or severe depression and anxiety since the start of the pandemic, according to data from the National College Student COVID-19 Impact Study of more than 1,600 students, surveyed between November 2020 and May 2021 by Columbia University’s Global Psychiatric Epidemiology Group and the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Despite these difficulties, however, nearly 60 percent of student respondents reported feeling hopeful about their futures. Liberal Education asked five students on different types of campuses to share their experiences during the pandemic. CC provides mental health and wellness resources to support student needs throughout the pandemic.
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Mary Inman, our First Monday’s speaker for Block 6, talked with students about her life in both law and journalism. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III
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The CC COVID-19 dashboard shows all known CC student cases. It provides quick access to COVID-19 metrics on campus, including daily and weekly COVID-19 testing numbers and positive test results. For questions regarding this dashboard, please contact Ben Moffitt in the Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness.
Weekly Testing of 2/16/22 through 2/22/22
1809 test administerd, 21 positive tests.
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To easily access all things COVID, details of our COVID-19 response are broken down into
categories here: Health; Mitigation and Campus Protocols; Testing and Quarantine; and When Off Campus. You’ll also find answers to frequently asked questions, as well as a listing of all campus messages. If you have additional concerns about COVID-19 or our campus response direct them to: covid19@coloradocollege.edu” style=”font-weight: normal;font-weight: normal;color: #d09b2c;text-decoration: underline;color: #d09b2c;text-decoration: underline”>covid19@coloradocollege.edu.
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