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New Health Guidelines Start the Fall Semester Off On the Right Note

September 2022
  • New Health Guidelines Start the Fall Semester Off On the Right Note

As we welcome faculty, staff and students back in-person on September 6 and 7 respectively, we want to remind everyone that while QCC has a mask optional policy, we ask the entire college community to be vigilant in following QCC’s Health Initiatives.

COVID-19 GUIDELINES 

  • All faculty, staff and students who test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to COVID-19 are required to comply with the new college COVID-19 guidelines. Faculty, staff, and students who are staying home due to symptoms, concerns, diagnoses of COVID-19, or have been exposed to COVID-19 are still required to fill out the confidential Health and Safety form. For questions, please make sure to reach out to QCC Health Consultant Heather Lukas, at hlukas [at] qcc.mass.edu or 774.502.5765. 

MASK POLICY

  • We have learned that wearing a mask prevents the spread of COVID-19. While QCC has a mask optional policy, we strongly encourage and support mask use, particularly in large group settings when someone experiences even the mildest of symptoms (sniffles, runny nose, scratchy throat, etc.).
  • PLEASE stay home if you are symptomatic and fill out the Health and Safety Form right away. COVID-19 symptoms can often mimic allergy or cold symptoms so please be extra cautious, wear a medical grade mask (even if you feel it is not COVID-19), and get tested for COVID-19.
  • Medical grade masks are the blue three-ply surgical masks, a KN95 or N95 mask.
  • We ask that everyone be kind and respectful to one another’s mask-wearing choices as we navigate this new normal. Again the current college policy is mask optional.

COVID-19 PCR TESTING   

  • COVID-19 PCR testing is ongoing on the College’s Main Campus (670 West Boylston Street, Worcester) Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Appointments are recommended but not required, and drop-ins are welcome.

 Home Test Kits

  • The College still has a large surplus of COVID-19 Home Test kits for faculty, staff and students. While the expiration date on the tests is July 10, 2022,  the FDA has extended the shelf life of these tests to January 10, 2023. Tests can be picked up at Campus Police, the Fuller Student Center, or outside the HomePlate Food Pantry and Resource Center. Please feel free to stop by and pick up a few to have on hand!
  • Faculty - If you need masks to be delivered to a classroom, please call Campus Police Dispatch at 508.854.4221 (Campus extension: 4221)

 Monkeypox (Clade I & Clade II)

  • Monkeypox is a legitimate public health issue for all people. We ask that the QCC community be vigilant in understanding the signs, symptoms and various transmission modes, as well as how to reduce the spread and the severity of the illness.
  • Visit QCC’s Safety Initiatives web page for additional information. For more information from the CDC, visit www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/

For questions, please reach out to QCC Health Consultant Heather Lukas, at hlukas [at] qcc.mass.edu.

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