Lenoir Community College’s top priority is protecting the health of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The LCC Emergency Operations Planning Team has been active since the beginning of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. We have now expanded that team to create a Coronavirus Task Force that include all Deans and identified key personnel. This Task Force provides additional expertise and enhances our planning and response capabilities. 

On Thursday, March 12, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services announced proactive steps that the State of North Carolina is taking to protect the health and wellbeing of our state in the growing cases of the coronavirus COVID-19 across the nation and here in North Carolina.

At this time, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus on Lenoir Community College campuses. However, based upon our discussions with local and state health officials, executive leadership in the North Carolina Community College System, and guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, we are now implementing the following additional proactive and precautionary measures to reduce the spread of the disease, effective Monday, March 16, 2020.

• All non-essential, college-related travel outside of our three-county service area (Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties) is suspended until further notice.

• Upon return from a Center for Disease Control (CDC) designated Level 2 or Level 3 high-risk country (currently China, Iran, most of Europe, and South Korea), students and employees are required to keep off sites owned and operated by Lenoir Community College for 14 days.

• All extracurricular activities, such as athletics and club meetings, are suspended until further notice. 

• All mass gatherings on campus of over 100 people (meetings, conferences, etc.) are suspended until further notice.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will respond and implement additional measures as necessary.

In addition to these additional measures, our environmental services personnel have been and will continue to deep clean high touch areas and have made available hand sanitizers in common areas. We also reemphasize the following practical guidance for students, faculty, and staff that we shared previously:

For students exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath:

1. Stay home

2. See a doctor

3. Contact your instructor

For faculty or staff exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath:

1. Stay home

2. See a doctor

3. Contact your supervisor

We also reiterate what we have communicated previously about the virus and how you can be proactive in protecting your health and that of others, as described below.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may appear 2 – 14 days after exposure. 

Fever

Cough

Shortness of breath

Prevention and Treatment

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness 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 diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• 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 a facemask.

  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. 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.

For more information on the Coronavirus, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also developed an informative 5-minute video, which can be accessed at https://vimeo.com/387664679.