Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

Health and Safety Guidelines and Protocols

CCC&TI's COVID-19 Protocols Updated on Thursday, August 9, 2022

Health and Safety Guidelines and Protocols, Fall 2022

The safety of CCC&TI employees, students, visitors, and the communities we serve is our highest priority. The following guidelines and protocols are designed to mitigate and manage the risk associated with COVID-19.

*Guidelines are subject to change.

COVID-19 is mostly spread when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth. To a lesser extent, the virus may spread to hands from a contaminated surface and then to the nose or mouth, causing infection. That is why personal prevention practices (such as wearing face coverings, handwashing and staying home when sick), good ventilation, and environmental cleaning are important.

Health Monitoring and Reporting

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 symptoms range from mild to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Students and employees who are experiencing fever, cough, chills, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of smell or taste, must stay home.

Students with COVID-19 protocols questions may contact Dena Holman at 828-726-2737 or by email at dnholman@cccti.edu.

Employees with COVID-19 protocols questions can contact Rose Moon at 828-726-2269 or by email rmoon@cccti.edu.

While On Campus

Face coverings will be optional with the exception of individuals who test positive for COVID-19 or have had a continuous exposure to a positive COVID-19 case. Those individuals may be required to wear a face covering when indoors upon returning to campus up to 5 days depending on the circumstances.

Also, employees and students must abide by face covering and safety protocols when required off-campus, such as in public schools, health care settings or other locations with specific requirements.

If students, employees or visitors become symptomatic while on campus, they will be advised to leave campus immediately and to contact their primary health care provider or the local health department.

Best Practices

  • Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. People who are vaccinated against COVID-19 are at low risk of symptomatic or severe illness. Please check CDC guidance for information on vaccinations and boosters.
  • All employees and students will be encouraged to practice good hygiene.
  • Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs. Also, hand sanitizing stations are in every building.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I test positive for COVID-19?

Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must avoid campus. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please notify your instructor/supervisor and complete the COVID-19 Reporting Form.

Students or employees with COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may return to campus under the following conditions:

  • At least 5 days have passed since symptom onset or confirmed positive viral test, and
  • At least 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
  • Other symptoms have improved.

Individuals may not return to campus until symptoms have improved and they have been cleared by college officials. Upon returning to campus, you may be asked to wear a face covering when indoors up to 5 days.

What if I have COVID-19 related symptoms?

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, chills, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of smell or taste), please notify your instructor/supervisor and complete COVID-19 Reporting Form.

Students, employees, and visitors may not come to campus if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19.

Individuals may not return to campus until symptoms have improved and they have been cleared by college officials after completing the COVID-19 Reporting Form. Upon returning to campus, you may be asked to wear a face covering for up to 5 days when indoors.

What if someone in my class tests positive for COVID-19?

Students will be notified if someone in their class tests positive for COVID-19, but the notice will not reveal the student’s identity. Students should self-monitor and contact their health care provider if they become symptomatic.

If multiple exposures of COVID-19 occur in a seated or hybrid course, the college may need to shift the course to an alternate method of instruction or suspend the course for some time to allow for the natural deactivation of the virus.

If COVID-19 test results are negative and I have not had direct exposure to someone who has tested positive, when can I return to campus?

If an unvaccinated student or employee tests negative (must be a PCR test; antigen rapid tests or home tests not accepted) for COVID-19, has not had an ongoing continuous exposure to COVID-19, and the individual is symptom free (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) for 24 hours without the aid of medication, the individual may return to campus.

Do I have to quarantine if I’m exposed to a positive COVID-19 case?

People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they show no symptoms, unless that exposure is an extended one or includes multiple contacts with the positive individual(s), in which case you may be asked to quarantine. For example, if someone in your household has tested positive and you’ve had close contact with them. Vaccinated individuals should get tested (Must be a PCR test; Antigen rapid tests or home tests not accepted) 3 to 5 days after exposure. Upon returning to campus, you may be asked to wear a face covering for 5 days when indoors.

Students and employees still must complete the COVID-19 Reporting Form after an ongoing continuous exposure.

Do I have to quarantine after a close contact with a positive COVID-19 case if I’ve already had COVID-19?

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days and recovered do not have to quarantine or get tested again as long as they do not develop new symptoms. People who develop symptoms again within three months of their most recent bout of COVID-19 may need to be tested again if there is no other cause identified for their symptoms. Students and employees still must complete the COVID-19 Reporting Form an ongoing continuous exposure. Also, you may be asked to wear a face covering for 5 days when indoors on campus.

Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

For COVID-19 vaccination information in Caldwell County please visit: https://www.caldwellcountync.org/health-department/covid.

For Watauga County COVID-19 vaccination information, please visit: https://www.apphealthcare.com/covid-19-vaccinations.