Editor's note: the following release was submitted Monday by Highland Community College

Since the onset of the pandemic, Highland Community College has had students, on-campus and attending our regional locations, report possible symptoms of COVID-19. In every report, we have acted with an abundance of caution by quarantining/isolating those that may have been closely exposed to the individuals experiencing symptoms. Classrooms, facilities and work areas have been actively disinfected. Courses have moved to Zoom or remote learning on HCC’s main campus. Prior to the start of classes, the campus library and all classrooms on-campus and at our regional locations were reconfigured to allow six feet between students.

We have asked faculty, students and staff to report if they come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. We have also been monitoring the travel of our faculty, staff and students and requiring those to quarantine for 14 days if they have visited any areas that appear on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) travel-related quarantine areas. 

We have had ten students and one staff member confirm a positive test. The staff member has since fully recovered. We will continue to be diligent in addressing the impact of the virus on our faculty, staff, and students. HCC is working closely with the Doniphan County Health Department and KDHE in monitoring the students in quarantine/isolation.

The College will close its campus to the public beginning Tuesday, July 21, 2020.  At that time, facilities will only be open to faculty, staff, and students until further notice.

We cannot stress enough the importance of our faculty, students and staff to follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which include, but are not limited to:

Hygiene: We ask that you wash your hands frequently.
Masks: We have been providing disposable masks to those who need them. We encourage individuals to wear masks at all times in public areas.
Disinfect: We will continue to regularly sanitize public areas using fogging machines and misters. Cleaning/disinfectant supplies are available to students and employees.
Social distance: Keep a distance of six feet or two meters away from others.
Stay home: If you’re sick, do not come to work or class. Please do not visit our campus if you are not feeling well. Notify your supervisor or instructor to let them know that you are not feeling well.