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HACC COVID-19 Announcements

Updated: April. 21, 2023

HACC campuses are fully open [phase seven of the seven-phased plan (pdf)]. What does that mean?

  • The College grounds and buildings will be open to all students, employees and the general public.
  • A wide range of credit and workforce development courses will be offered on campus.
  • Remote and virtual courses will also continue.
  • Students will have the option to attend classes on campus, virtually, remotely or a combination of online and on campus.
  • Most student services will be offered on campus. Most remote student services will also continue. Please see "How are student services being offered?" below for more information.
  • All classrooms and training areas will return to normal capacity without social distancing.

Please note:

  • Face coverings are encouraged but not required on campus. Off-campus clinical sites may still require face coverings.
  • The College will revert to an earlier phase in our seven-phased plan (pdf) if conditions worsen. Therefore, it is imperative to continue our self-screening efforts.
  • HACC does not require students or employees to be vaccinated at this time. As the pandemic response evolves, decisions will be made based on state and federal legislation. Clinical sites are requiring vaccinations. Please visit hacc.edu/HealthCareersUpdate for more information. 
     

This information is tentative and subject to change.

SymptomStayHomeImage

Please:

  • Continue assessing how you feel each day (whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated). If you are feeling sick in general or have any cold, flu, mpox or COVID-19 symptoms (regardless of your vaccination status), please:
    • Stay home
    • Notify your instructor or supervisor
    • Monitor yourself for the next 48 hours
    • Contact your healthcare provider and follow their guidance
  • Note examples of symptoms:
    • Cough
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Diarrhea
    • Fatigue
    • Fever or chills
    • Headache
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Rash
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Sore throat
  • Do not self-diagnose or assume that you only have allergies. The College is asking that you self-screen, not self-diagnose. Self screening is a way for you to inventory how you feel and ensure you have no symptoms. However, only a medical professional can diagnose your symptoms and medical condition.
  • Review the information under the “What is the process to report a positive COVID-19 test result?” drop-down section of this webpage.
  • Review the information under the “What are HACC’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)requirements?” drop-down section of this webpage.
  • Note that if an illness causes you to be absent for an extended amount of time, Student Access Services (SAS) can help. To learn more, please contact SAS.
  • See this chart for important quarantine guidance:

SelfScreeningChart

Students and employees, please note:

  • You only need to submit an online COVID-19 Contact Form if you have been on a HACC campus within the past 48 hours. Please see this chart for guidance.
  • If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, but you have not been on a HACC campus within the past 48 hours, you are no longer required to submit an online COVID-19 Contact Form.
  • If you are taking classes remotely or through virtual learning or work from home and have not been on a HACC campus within 48 hours of testing positive for COVID-19, you do not need to submit an online COVD-19 Contact Form.
  • You are no longer required to submit an online COVID-19 Contact Form for the following:
    • Close contact
    • Indirect contact
    • Symptoms
    • Positive test results (if you have not been on campus within 48 hours of testing positive)
  • You are no longer required to submit a negative COVID-19 test prior to coming back to campus.

Nursing students in clinicals, please:

Complete the online COVID-19 Contact Form if:

  • You have not been on a HACC campus but have been at clinicals within the past 48 hours and tested positive for COVID-19.
  • You have tested positive for COVID-19 and are scheduled to come to a HACC campus or clinicals within the next 10 days.

Health career students in clinicals, please:

Contact your instructor and program director if:

  • You have not been on a HACC campus but have been at clinicals within the past 48 hours and tested positive for COVID-19.
  • You have tested positive for COVID-19 and are scheduled to come to a HACC campus or clinicals within the next 10 days.

Please see the chart below for full definitions and examples.

Report Positive COVID-19 Test (If On a HACC Campus Within the Past 48 Hours):

Please:

  • Notify the College immediately (regardless of your vaccination status) by completing this online form if you have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been on a HACC campus within the past 48 hours.
  • Notify your instructor or supervisor to make alternate arrangements.
  • Check with your primary health care provider.
  • Note that if you’ve been symptomatic, your quarantine time will begin the day after the start of your symptoms.
  • See this chart for quarantine guidance.
  • Return to campus after your quarantine and if you are symptom-free.

If you have any COVID-related questions, please email corona@hacc.edu.
 

Report COVID-19 Positive Test Result

 

Term Definition Quarantine Requirement
Close Contact You have been less than 6 feet from someone (more than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period) who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Examples:
  • A member of my household tested positive for COVID.
  • I was at a graduation celebration with my friend. We were not masked or socially distanced. I was with them for more than 15 minutes, and they ended up testing positive for COVID-19.

If you’ve had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVD-19, please:

 

 

Indirect Contact You have been in close contact with an individual who is not ill but was exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.
 
Example: My partner/spouse had contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 at their work.

If you’ve had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVD-19, please:

Positive Test
(Within 48 hours of being on campus)

 

You personally received a positive COVID-19 test result (within 48 hours of being on campus).

Example: I was on the Gettysburg Campus on Monday, and I received a positive COVID-19 test result on Tuesday.

If you’ve received a positive COVID-19 test and have been on a HACC campus in the past 48 hours, please:

  • Fill out the online form
  • Quarantine for five days beginning the day after your positive test
  • Note that if you are symptomatic, your quarantine time will begin the day after the start of your symptoms
  • Wear a face covering days six-10
  • See this chart for quarantine guidance
 

Positive Test 

(Have not been on campus within the past 48 hours)

You personally received a positive COVID-19 test result but have not been on campus within 48 hours.

Examples:

  • I was on the Lebanon Campus on Monday, and I tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday.
  • I work or take classes remotely and have not been on a HACC campus.
  • I am a nursing or health career student in clinicals, and I was at a clinical location but not on a HACC campus.

If you’ve received a positive COVID-19 test and have not been on a HACC campus in the past 48 hours, please:

  • Do not ill out the online COVID-19 Contact Form
  • Quarantine for five days beginning the day after your positive test
  • Note that if you are symptomatic, your quarantine time will begin the day after the start of your symptoms
  • Wear a face covering days six-10
  • See this chart for quarantine guidance

Nursing and health career students in clinical programs please:

  • Contact your program director immediately to report the positive COVID-19 test.
  • Notify your instructor and program director if you are scheduled to come to campus or go to clinicals within the next 10 days.
Symptoms Please see the self-screening process listed in the “How do I self-screen before coming to campus each day?” drop-down section of this webpage.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms on the self-screening list, please stay home for 48 hours and monitor.

If experiencing symptoms after 48 hours, please:

  • Quarantine for five days
  • Note that your quarantine time will begin the day after the start of your symptoms
  • Wear a face covering days six-10
  • See this chart for quarantine guidance.

 

Please Note the Following Types of COVID-19 Testing

  • At-Home Tests: Please follow the instructions on the box to determine how quickly you should return to campus. Some kits require you to test again two days later to confirm the negative result.
  • Doctor/Pharmacy Tests: If you go to a doctor’s office or pharmacy to take a COVID-19 test and it is positive, please follow the guidance on this chart.
  • Rapid Testing Sites: If you go to a rapid testing site (Example: 15toknow.com/) and your test is positive, please follow the guidance on this chart.

On May 23, 2022, the College campuses fully opened, and we moved into phase seven of our seven-phased approach (pdf).

We recognize that other two- and four-year institutions – as well as K-12 schools – have been implementing this process successfully. In addition, our infection rate has remained low.

Please note that:

  • Students will have the option to attend classes on campus, online or a combination of both.
  • Most student services will be offered on campus. Most remote services will also continue.
  • All classrooms and training areas will return to full capacity.
  • Course enrollment will be monitored throughout the months leading up to each semester, and sections will be added as classes fill. Waitlists are available. Students on a waitlist will be notified when seats become available and new sections of a course are added to the schedule.
  • We will continue to evaluate student-enrollment trends, COVID-19 metrics in HACC’s service region and ongoing CDC, governmental and medical guidance and adjust course offerings as appropriate for student need and employee and student safety.
  • Students should contact their advisors if they need to take a course in their major that is not currently on the schedule.
  • Students should note that it’s important to build in commuting time between classes if they would like to schedule a mix of on-campus and online classes.
  • Students who are taking on-campus classes will take their exams on campus.

If you are taking remote or virtual learning classes, please note:

  • HACC has developed expectations for students in remote learning. The expectations are available on the myHACC portal.
  • Students are able to select and enroll in remote instruction courses from all available options, regardless of the listed campus.
  • Students should NOT select a campus when searching for remote instruction courses. Please see the example below:
    • If the building is listed as “Remote,” then the class will only be held on Zoom during the times scheduled.
    • If the actual day and time of the on-campus class is listed on the schedule with a real building and room number (for example, Lancaster Main 313 for a chemistry class), please remember to build in commuting time.
  • Students who are taking remote classes will take their exams remotely, unless their professor makes arrangements to take an exam on campus.
  • Students in online classes will take their exams online, unless their professor makes arrangements to take an exam on campus.

We have various hours and availability for our student services.

Please note:

 

This information is tentative and subject to change.

We will continue to closely monitor the news about COVID-19 cases in our service region and beyond. Your health and safety are our top priority. Therefore, the College reserves the right to adjust travel guidelines accordingly. 

Effective July 1, 2022, the College will support the following:

  • Off-campus social gatherings or field trips
  • In-person field trips
  • Student club activities, conferences and service activities that require travel
  • Conferences and professional development activities that require travel
  • Virtual opportunities for enrichment, professional development and student engagement (where possible)

 

Face coverings are encouraged but not required on campus. Off-campus clinical sites may still require face coverings.

Please:

  • Ensure that you engage in a respectful and civil manner with each other, as each person will have a different comfort level with face coverings.
  • Note that, per the student handbook and following Shared Governance Policies (SGP), students and employees do not have authority to require another person to wear a face covering. Each person will make the decision regarding face coverings that is best for them.
  • Note that if you are sick, you should remain home. Please see the “What is the process to report a positive COVID-19 test result?” section of this webpage for more information.
  • Note that if you have completed your five-day quarantine for COVID-19, it is recommended that you continue to wear a mask for an additional five days.
  • Note that masks will continue to be available at building entrances, at the bookstores and security offices.

The College will revert to an earlier phase in our seven-phased plan (pdf) if conditions worsen. Therefore, it is imperative to continue our self-screening efforts.

This information is tentative and subject to change.

There will be food options available to you on each campus. Please visit hacc.edu/Dining for detailed information.

 

We have developed a multi-layered cleaning process for classrooms, specialized labs, offices, restrooms and common areas.

This includes:

  • Following CDC guidelines – HACC will continue layered cleaning procedures once daily:
    • Cleaning to remove germs and dirt is completed each day in all general classrooms, laboratories, restrooms and common areas. This includes, but is not limited to, dusting, vacuuming, washing and emptying trash.
  • Disinfecting routinely with EPA-approved disinfecting products for high-touch areas. This includes, but is not limited to, tables, chairs, door knobs, light switches and teaching spaces.
  • Using ultraviolet-C (UVC) disinfection equipment called MoonBeamTM3 on all campuses - The technology is used to eliminate pathogens from intricate, hard-to-clean surfaces in high-touch areas, including classrooms, offices, trade, nursing and dental hygiene laboratories and bathrooms. The manufacturer completed extensive testing on the efficacy of the device on key viruses, bacteria and bacterial spores. The MoonBeamTM3 was proven effective against COVID-19 under a range of conditions with contact time as low as four seconds. The equipment has a three-minute cycle within roughly 6 feet of primary targets. The area can be immediately occupied after usage. The MoonBeamTM3 is safely outfitted with sensors that stop the device cycle if entry is attempted from outside the room. We use this several times a week based on demand in specialized labs, trade classrooms, offices, restrooms and common areas. This is an additive cleaning technology to further minimize risk of exposure.
  • Using electrostatic spray guns for disinfecting and deep cleaning of high-touch point areas to maintain high quality of cleaning on HACC's campuses - Disinfecting with the electrostatic spray guns is completed several times a week for general classrooms and labs, offices, restrooms and common areas dependent on usage. This is a specialized additive cleaning technology to further minimize risk of exposure.
  • Using Envirco IsoClean™ CM units – These units are portable, in-room air cleaning systems. They are engineered to provide the optimum combination of high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaning with multiple air changes per hour. All units meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidelines. The units will be at all campuses in large areas for additional air quality filtration.
  • Ensuring HVAC units have been assessed and modified for air flow and filtration - Facilities have worked with Johnson Controls (JCI) to complete an air flow, filtration and quality assessment, and appropriate filters will be upgraded and changed to adhere to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) COVID-19 Resource Recommendations. 
  • Installing plexiglass in student-facing areas - The facilities team has installed clear plastic (plexiglass) dividers in many areas for employee and student protection as requested.
  • Following proper prevention hygiene, such as washing hands frequently and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer when needed
  • Ensuring hand sanitizing and surgical mask distribution stations are conveniently placed throughout campus buildings

The College’s leadership monitors the various campus environments and will determine if the College or a campus needs to close due to the pandemic or weather.

Please note that the College:

  • Moved to phase seven of the seven-phased plan (pdf) for reopening on May 23, 2022.
  • May revert to an earlier phase at the direction of Cabinet or by state or federal mandate
  • Has processes in place to announce and sanitize spaces if a closure is necessary.

If a building in which a class is located is closed due to the pandemic, the College will:

  • Email credit students using their HAWKMail addresses
  • Email or call workforce students

Please see hacc.edu/Weather for more information and our communication methods for notifications.

Vaccination Clinics:

Students and employees may find information on vaccination clinics in their regions at Vaccine.UPMC.com.

Testing Centers:

We do not have any testing centers available on a HACC campus at this time. However, you can submit your ZIP code in the “FIND NEAR ME” box on this webpage, and a list will auto-populate with locations for you.

Additionally, you may find testing locations across the Central Pennsylvania area at walk-in urgent care centers and pharmacies.

Government:

Every home in the United States is eligible to order four at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free and orders will usually ship within seven to 12 days.

Please use one of the following methods to order:

 

United States Postal Service:

Residential households in the United States are eligible for two orders of four free at-home tests on USPS.com.

Here is HACC’s seven-phased approach (pdf) to reopening our campuses. This is tentative and subject to change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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