In a recent email to the school, NCC has claimed to meet the requirements to enter Phase 4 of Restore Illinois. Changes in COVID-19 procedures started on Feb. 4, so the school community should begin seeing some restrictions change.
“College-approved in-person events hosted by recognized student organizations, College offices and students, faculty or staff can proceed with a maximum of 50 people in attendance or 50% of physically distanced room capacity, whichever is fewer, and only as long as face coverings are worn and physical distancing is maintained,” said Peter Barger, assistant provost, director of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning and co-chair of the College’s COVID Institutional Response Team, in an email to the school.
All students, as well as staff and faculty, must still gather in groups of no more than 10 total people or less. Likewise, COVID-19 procedures implemented last year must also be followed. This includes wearing a face covering, social distancing and prohibiting large group gatherings.
NCC wants the school to remain vigilant and to uphold the #TogetherNC pledge. There have been 49 total reported positive tests as of Feb. 4. To remain in Phase 4, the school must continue to keep this number low.
New health procedures
Additionally, the school has implemented new health procedures. The Dyson Wellness Center (DWC) is offering online appointments. Students can schedule an appointment for both medical purposes and counseling. These appointments are online so students have a digital option if they are unable to meet with someone in person.
Correspondingly, the new Health Science and Engineering building is now home to a COVID-19 testing area. The school has partnered with SHIELD Illinois to administer the salvia-based testing. These tests are highly accurate and easy to use.
Faculty and staff now have the option to test weekly with SHIELD. Meanwhile, student athletes have taken advantage of the new testing procedure, as winter and spring sports kickstart in the new semester.
“My experience with COVID testing at NCC has been very convenient with a center on campus,” said George Queisser, ’23. He appreciates how the multiple tests within a week help NCC athletes.
Surveillance, quarantine procedures
In general, the procedures for a student who tests positive for COVID-19 are the same. Commuters, faculty and staff may return to campus 10 days after testing. They must also have had no recorded symptoms. For on-campus students and student athletes, the same procedure applies. Additionally, said students must receive a negative test for the school.
More information about NCC’s positive case protocol is available here. Students can also find the school’s COVID-19 Compliance Reporting Form here. This form notifies the school of anyone not following NCC’s COVID-19 guidelines and rules.
Furthermore, the school has begun surveillance testing. People selected will be notified via their NCC email and can sign up for testing through SHIELD. More information on NCC’s testing procedures can be found here.
Entering spring 2021 strong
NCC is prepared to proceed with Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan. All of the campus community must continue upholding NCC’s COVID-19 pledge so that a future without this pandemic may become a reality sooner rather than later.
