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Employee in Building 46 Tests Positive for COVID-19

Health alert icon: Important message from Mt. SAC

June 24, 2020 - 03:52 PM

A Mt. San Antonio College employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is a critical onsite worker who had worked in Building 46 and also spent considerable time in Building 46A between June 15 and June 18, 2020. The employee is recovering at home while in quarantine, in accordance with public health protocols.

The college is actively tracing the individual’s steps and contacting employees who came in contact with the individual. In addition, the contact tracing includes the collection of further information from those in contact with the individual, their wellness and their subsequent contacts. The college has reached out to those known to have been in close contact with the employee, provided them with testing instructions, and asked them to stay at home and self-isolate for 14 days, as recommended by public health officials. The impacted buildings were vacated and thoroughly cleaned.

Dr. William Scroggins“Please join me in sending our best wishes for a quick recovery to the affected employee,” said Dr. Bill Scroggins, president and CEO of Mt. SAC. “We are doing all we can to support the employee and others who had been in contact with the employee.”

The college’s physical campus has been closed since the Governor’s stay at home order on March 19, with classes and services moved online.

HOME QUARANTINE

The L.A. County Department of Public Health home quarantine guidelines recommend that those who have been in close contact with someone who is positive or presumed positive must quarantine themselves for 14 days from the last time they had contact with the ill person.

The best source of public health information is available from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. We will also continue to update our Public Health website at www.mtsac.edu/health and urge everyone to continue to follow the “Safer at Home” orders from the Governor and our local public health officials.

SAFETY PRACTICES

As a reminder, employees should stay home if they have any sign of sickness, including symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath. It’s important to follow these steps to protect yourself and others:

  • Practice social distancing. Social distancing is deliberately increasing the space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19.
  • Wear a face covering when in public spaces and when there is a chance of being within 6 feet of others.
  • Wash your hands often, especially before you eat, after using the restroom or blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If you cannot wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • If you show any sign of sickness – even mild symptoms -- stay home. COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use your sleeve if you don’t have a tissue handy.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth in case your hands are not clean.
  • Avoid sharing objects like cups, food and drinks.
  • Minimize contact, and avoid shaking hands and high-fiving.
  • Practice healthy habits. Get plenty of sleep, stay active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
CONTACT US

If you are sick or believe you have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, please contact your primary health care provider as soon as possible. If you do test positive or want to learn about what leave options are available to employees related to COVID-19, please contact Nerissa Uiagalelei in Human Resources at hraccommodations@mtsac.edu or (909) 274-4414. For health-related questions and concerns, call Student Health Services at (909) 274-4400 and a staff nurse will respond.