Allen Community College continues to navigate and make adjustments due to COVID-19, but appears to be controlling the virus on campus more successfully than earlier in the semester.
According to vice president Cynthia Jacobson, ACC has recorded the following numbers of students and staff affected by the novel coronavirus since the beginning of fall:
— 65 people have tested positive.
— 228 people have been quarantined.
Jacobson also noted that quarantine times often differ, ranging anywhere from a full two weeks to only a couple days (while awaiting test results).
As of Wednesday, there was only one COVID-positive student quarantining on campus, while the rest were convalescing at home.
In general, COVID numbers at the college seem to be slowing, especially in comparison to the significant spike that occurred earlier in the semester.
“Our protocols have worked,” Jacobson said. “If not, we’d have a lot more faculty and staff [being affected].”
However, she also noted that contract-tracing efforts had become more difficult, but thankfully, so far no one from ACC has had to be hospitalized.
In order to continue having a successful virus response, numbers at upcoming athletic and other events are likely going to be limited, and after fall break, physical classes will not resume.
For those students who cannot return home, due to technology accessibility or other factors, the college is making special accommodations.
Another key prevention measure regards wide-spread testing, and so SPARK funds acquired by the college may be largely devoted to this purpose.
In fact, as much $150,000 may be spent on testing on campus, which goes surprisingly quickly when tests can run up to $100 a pop.
To help combat germs, the college has also purchased special machines from Sonic Equipment Company in Iola, which clean and disinfect surfaces and the air by means of ultraviolet light.
According to dean Tosca Harris, many instructors have reported difficulty with adjusting to teaching changes brought about by COVID, but she remained optimistic that the faculty was navigating the situation as gracefully as possible.
