Mt. SAC Employee in Building 4 Tests Positive for COVID-19

July 14, 2020 - 11:26 AM

This weekend, a Mt. San Antonio College employee learned they tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is a critical onsite worker who had been in Building 4, the administration building. The employee was last on campus Monday, July 6, and developed symptoms on July 7. The employee is recovering at home while in self-isolation, in accordance with public health protocols.

Due to high traffic in Building 4, a general notice is being provided to the campus community. In addition, the college is actively tracing the individual’s steps and contacting employees who came in contact with the individual. In addition, the contract 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-quarantine for 14 days, as recommended by public health officials. The impacted departments and general areas have been vacated and thoroughly cleaned, with additional departments in the building scheduled for deep cleaning.

“Please join me in wishing our affected employee a quick recovery. Our hearts are also with all those in our community who are fighting the disease or have been impacted by the disease,” said Dr. Bill Scroggins, president and CEO of Mt. SAC. “These are challenging times, and we must unite to support one another.”

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. A small number of critical onsite employees work on the physical campus.

WORKING ON CAMPUS

As a reminder, employees working on campus must follow the protocol in the college Social Distancing Plan. Critical onsite employees who are coming to campus should communicate with their managers before coming to campus, and confirm they (1) have not traveled outside the United States in the past 14 days, (2) have not had close contact with someone who is known to have COVID-19, and (3) does not have any signs of a sickness, including a fever, experiencing a cough, or having shortness of breath.

Managers should forward this health check confirmation to Michael Williams (mike.williams@mtsac.edu), Paul Miller (pmiller12@mtsac.edu), and Suzanne Vasquez (svasquez@mtsac.edu) before the employee comes to campus. 

SAFETY PRACTICES

With coronavirus cases and hospitalizations on the rise, 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 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, stay home. Anyone with even mild symptoms should stay home. COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth in case your hands are not clean.
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use your sleeve if you don’t have a tissue handy. If you have these symptoms, stay away from campus.
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.

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 public health officials.

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, contact Nerissa Uiagalelei in Human Resources at hraccommodations@mtsac.edu or (909) 274-4414 immediately. For health-related questions and concerns, call Student Health at (909) 274-4400 and a staff nurse will respond.