Allen Community College has seen very few cases of COVID-19 since classes resumed in August. Because of that success, the college likely will continue to take precautions including a mask mandate through the rest of the semester.
Only one new case has been reported in the past month, Cynthia Jacobson, vice president for student affairs, told ACC board members at their meeting Tuesday evening.
Since school began, ACC has reported 16 positive cases. One of those cases was reported at the Burlingame campus; the rest were at Iola.
Also in that time, 15 students were quarantined: 11 at Iola and four at Burlingame.
Every day, the college tests students who are showing symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19. As soon as they test negative, they can return to class.
“Knock on wood, we’re doing really well with our positivity rates,” Jacobson.
The college requires face masks to be worn on campus.
Students are good about wearing their masks in class, Jacobson said. They can get a little bit lax in common areas, such as while playing games or other activities at the student center.
She agreed there was some contradiction in the policy. For example, a couple of teammates can practice together without masks, but then have to wear masks when they come into the student center to play ping pong.
ACC board member Lonnie Larson asked if the board should consider relaxing the face mask policy.
Jacobson said she was concerned about colder temperatures that would drive more people indoors, where the virus could spread more easily. Sports teams also would switch from fall, when many events are outdoors, to strictly indoors.
She also noted that flu season also is approaching, and it would be best to minimize the spread of any illness.
The board continues to follow recommendations from state and local health officials, she said.
The college plans to follow a more traditional schedule than last year. Students will go home for Thanksgiving break, then return to campus until the semester ends in December. Last year, students remained at home after Thanksgiving and completed finals online.
JACOBSON also updated the board on enrollment numbers.
