COVID-19 Coronavirus
Please continue to monitor all college communication channels for the most up-to-date information and specifics regarding this evolving situation.
Courses are being offered in a variety of modalities: face-to-face, online, or hybrid. The College is committed to the safety of all students, faculty and staff and continues to follow guidelines provided by the CDC and health officials.
General Guidelines
Students share a commitment to reduce the risk of contracting and/or transmitting COVID-19.
All students should follow the following simple rules to avoid getting sick:
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- Wash your hands often
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Clean your work areas when possible
- Monitor your health daily
- All students should stay home if experiencing symptoms of any illness
- A community-related exposure is defined by the CDC as having close contact with a person who has shown symptoms of COVID-19 and has a positive test result. Exposure can occur whether you are wearing a mask, or not. What counts as close contact?
- You were within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
- You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19, or reside with them.
- You had direct physical contact with the person (touched, hugged, or kissed them).
- You shared eating or drinking utensils.
- They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you.
- It is strongly encouraged to wear a mask while monitoring for ANY symptoms over the next 10-day period. The onset symptoms for the current strand of COVID-19 is often mild, those exposed should be mindful of any change in their health – this includes symptoms similar to allergies, colds, etc.
- It is recommend that on Day 6 of your exposure that you get tested even if you do not develop symptoms. If you test negative, continue taking precautions through day 10. If you test positive. please follow the quarantine procedures outlined below.
- If symptoms develop, the exposed person should immediately quarantine and it is strongly recommended that they be tested. If the results of the test indicate a positive case of COVID-19, the normal quarantine procedures will apply.
- Please contact Dr. Thomasee, Executive Director of Operations (dthomasee@gulfcoast.edu, or at 850-873-3582) for more information.
- Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
- Stay home for 5 days.
- If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
- If your symptoms are severe, consult your healthcare provider immediately.
- Notify your professor of your condition. Your professor should then direct you to contact Dr. David Thomasee, Executive Director of Operations (dthomasee@gulfcoast.edu, or at 850-873-3582). The information provided to your professor and Dr. Thomasee is considered protected and will not be shared.
.*Please keep in mind the CDC guidelines change frequently. Please contact Dr. Thomasee if you have questions.*
Travel Information
Please refer to the CDC Guidelines regarding travel precautions and recommendations.
Helpful information
HELPFUL INFORMATION CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:
- FDOH: https://www.floridahealth.gov/
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/
- FDOE: https://www.fldoe.org/em-response/
- Please see this helpful flier from the CDC related to handwashing and hand sanitizer.
- Please see this helpful flier from the CDC related to stopping the spread of germs.
About COVID-19
- For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 please visit the CDC website.