As Shoreline Community College prepares to return to campus for Fall 2022, here are some reminders on how the College is responding to COVID-19. Up-to-date information can be found at Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates | Shoreline Community College.
We are aware Governor Inslee has recently announced he will lift the state’s emergency declaration on October 31, 2022. The college will send out another message shortly afterward to update you on any changes to our COVID-19 response plan relative to the governor’s order. Consistent with past practice, we will keep the college community up to date on local, state, and national conditions, and of changes within the College’s response.
Monitoring COVID-19 Community Level
Currently (September 12th, 2022) King County is in the low (green) level, reflecting a trend of falling case counts over the last few weeks. The College will continue to monitor public health guidance from King County Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). King County Public Health updates the community level dashboard with current indicators every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Additional information can be found on King County’s data dashboards page. Should the community level rise to high (red) level, the Communicable Disease Team (CDT) will examine the situation and make recommendations to the Executive Team regarding masking, social distancing, and cleaning procedures.
Masks are voluntary on campus except in the Counseling Center and in clinical sites. Masks are available to employees and students at the ASK ME stations throughout campus: Admin/1000 Building, Library/4000 Building, and the FOSS/5000 Building, 2nd floor.
Campus Cleaning
Returning to pre-COVID 19 cleaning standards in Fall 2022 means the College will provide the same level of reliable custodial services currently delivered but without the additional measures previously required by local, state, and federal offices following the pandemic-driven closure two years ago. However, the College will retain a number of public health practices that were put into place in response to COVID-19, including the availability of hand sanitizers, masks, and wipe dispensers throughout all our buildings, which can be requested from the Facilities department.
Vaccination
Getting vaccinated is still the best way to fight COVID-19. Vaccinations and boosters are available at no cost, and King County Health recommends everyone aged 5 and older should get a booster dose. The Getting vaccinated in King County – King County page provides guidance on where to find vaccines in King County.
Vaccination Attestation | Shoreline Community College.
Students attending Shoreline Community College, strictly in online classes only, will not be required to attest their COVID vaccination. This is a continuation of the process from previous quarters. If an online student needs to come to campus, they will need to attest their vaccination status before they will be allowed to visit. If conditions change, online students may be asked to attest in the future.
Report Exposure, Symptoms, or a Positive Test
If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, if you have symptoms (sore throat, fever, cough, fatigue), or if you have tested positive, fill out the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Exposure Report Form – Formstack as soon as possible. This will help the College provide you with guidance and will help in contact tracing.
Testing
If you have symptoms, you should test immediately. You can get PCR tests through a health care provider or test site. King County Health provides guidance on testing and where to get tested at COVID-19 testing – King County.
You can also use an antigen test at home. If you have symptoms, the FDA recommends testing three times to avoid a false negative: once when you suspect you may have COVID-19, once 48 hours later, and again 48 hours after the second negative test.
Free antigen tests can be requested from the following site:
Home – Say Yes! To Covid Test (sayyescovidhometest.org)
If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19
If you have been exposed to COVID-19 and:
- have been boosted, or
- completed Pfizer or Moderna in the last 5 months, or
- completed J&J vaccine within the last 2 months,
then you do not need to isolate unless you develop symptoms. Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of exposure.
If you completed Pfizer or Moderna more than 5 months ago or J&J more than 2 months ago, and are not boosted, you should isolate for 5 days. Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 5 more days.
If you test positive for or have symptoms of COVID-19
You should isolate for five days from the day your symptoms began or you tested positive, whichever is later. After five days, you can end isolation if you are fever-free for 24 hours with no medication, and other symptoms are improving. Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 5 more days.
