Coronavirus Update
BELOW ARE ARCHIVED COMMUNICATIONS THAT WERE DISTRIBUTED TO THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS.
Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards has temporarily reinstated Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate indoors for all people age five and older as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across Louisiana, threatening the ability of Louisiana’s hospitals to deliver care during this fourth surge of COVID. Louisiana is currently in the worst surge of the COVID-19 pandemic so far in terms of case growth rate, percent positivity and hospitalizations.
For more information: https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/3301
Good Afternoon,
I want to first and foremost thank our college family for your patience, diligence, and cooperation over the past year during the Pandemic as we worked tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of our campuses, engage and educate students, sustain business continuity, achieve SACSCOC accreditation, and weather several storms. Your resilience is unmatched and I am deeply proud to have walked with each of you during both the good times and challenging times in advancing our mission. While we have more work to do as a nation to increase our vaccination rate, the positive news as reflected in the Governor’s recent announcement is encouraging and will play a key role in our ability to recover our college, communities, and economies long-term.
In light of the Governor’s recent announcement, I submit the following direction for the college effective June 1, 2021:
The Governor’s statewide face covering mandate has been removed under certain circumstances (Governor’s Proclamation 85 JBE 2021). NTCC and LCTCS has updated its safety protocols regarding masks as follows:
- Masks are no longer required at NTCC and LCTCS buildings
- However, masks are still strongly encouraged for:
- Individuals who are most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19, and
- Unvaccinated employees, visitors, or students
We encourage the following:
- Social distance from fellow students and employees by 3 feet
- No more than 2 people in restrooms
- Report to your work/class location and only go to another location/floor for work activities
- Limit work interactions with others to less than 15 minutes
- As a courtesy do not enter a co-worker’s workspace without permission
- As a courtesy, faculty and staff do not engage in social visits for non-business reasons absent proper social distancing
- Meetings should have Teams or Zoom options for attendees
Everyone should to continue to practice good hygiene, including:
- Covering your mouth when coughing and/or sneezing
- Use hand sanitizer especially when entering common areas
- Wash your hands multiple times a day
- Avoid:
- Touching your face;
- Handshakes and hugs;
- Touching frequently used objects and surfaces;
- Sharing cellphones, pens, computers and work areas; and,
- Sharing papers and physical objects during meetings.
Campus Check-Ins, Temperature Checks, and restricted access points will no longer be in effect June 1, 2021. In place of such measures, additional staff funded by our local Workforce Investment Boards will transition from temperature checkers to cleaning technicians to enhance daily sanitation of our college campuses. In addition, it is the expectation that students, faculty and staff continue to report any occurrence of illness related to fever, cough, etc. to faculty and supervisors or any exposure to COVID-19 to HR and not report to class or work in the event of illness to ensure the health and safety of our campuses.
I want to again thank you all for your leadership, dedication and support throughout the Pandemic. While we must remain vigilant, I have every confidence that our continued adherence to the above-mentioned protocols over the summer will readily prepare our college for a robust Fall 2021 semester. As always, if anyone has questions or concerns regarding our path forward, please do not hesitate to reach out to your faculty or supervisor directly as we stand ready to listen and engage.
I want to wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day holiday as we remember and pay respects to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Truly,
William S. Wainwright, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Northshore Technical Community College
Louisiana Community and Technical College System HEERF-II (CRRSAA-Student) Communication to eligible students. Click Here
Louisiana Community and Technical College System HEERF-II (CRRSAA-Student) eligibility guidelines. Click Here
HEERF II CRRSAA Disclosure
- NTCC used no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA or HEERF II), to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
- NTCC distributed 100%, or $1,025,650 , of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA or HEERF II) on March 1, 2021.
- 1,223 NTCC students were deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and were thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA or HEERF II).
- 1,223 NTCC students received $838.64 each in Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA or HEERF II).
- The method used by NTCC to determine which students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants, instructions, directions, and guidance is outlined above in the FAQ.
The Coronavirus is in the news and undoubtedly you have heard about it. While there are currently only 15 cases here in the United States, it is still a concern. The Coronavirus has sickened over 64,000 people worldwide and there have been at least 1,380 deaths.
While the coronavirus is a concern, the common flu remains active and should not be taken lightly.
The CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 26 million flu illnesses, 250,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths from flu. The CDC expects the flu season to last for several more weeks. In Louisiana, there have been some 68,000 flu cases reported this flu season.
Prevention
Flu:
- Get the flu vaccine. It is not too late to be vaccinated.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people. • While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcoholbased hand rub. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.
Coronavirus:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using facemasks.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including 2019-nCoV.
- Facemask should be used by people who show symptoms of 2019 novel coronavirus, in order to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Preventing both the Flu and the Coronavirus involve practical measures that we should all be taking. Washing hands, staying away if you are sick, disinfecting surfaces, and covering your cough or sneeze are essential.
Lastly, relying on credible sources for information is key. The CDC and Louisiana Department of Health provide updates regarding infectious diseases daily. Don’t rely on hearsay for your information regarding Flu or Coronavirus.
For further information, contact the CDC at www.cdc.gov or www.ldh.la.gov.
This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.