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Updated September 18, 2023
In alignment with the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ending May 11, 2023, Oregon health officials announced the lifting of health-protective measures that helped reduce COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, and expanded access to services during the pandemic. With the lifting of the public health emergency, public health guidelines regarding isolation of positive individuals and reporting of cases has changed. PCC follows the guidelines of public health departments.
The change likely to be most impactful will be the shortening of the isolation period for positive COVID-19 individuals. A five-day period of isolation for those infected with COVID-19 will no longer be recommended for the general population. The updated recommendation for the general population will be to stay home until fever free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving; avoid contact with individuals at increased risk for severe disease, including older adults and those with underlying medical conditions; and consider masking for 10 days.
Guidance for the isolation period in healthcare settings has not changed. If you work or take classes in a healthcare setting check with your supervisor or instructor for guidance.
Also, PCC staff and students are not required to report that they were at a PCC site when they were potentially infectious.
PCC remains committed to reducing and preventing cases of COVID-19. The information on this site focuses on basic disease prevention measures for all members of the PCC community to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff, coming to PCC. This information is subject to change in keeping with the most current information and guidance available.
If you test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19
Stay home until fever free for 24 hours and any other symptoms are improving; avoid contact with individuals at increased risk for severe disease, including older adults and those with underlying medical conditions; and consider masking for 10 days.
Measures to help prevent disease transmission
Review the measures below to help prevent transmission of disease.
Please refer any questions you have to covidquestions@pcc.edu.
Perform a daily self-check
You should only come to PCC if you are healthy. Assess yourself for illness symptoms such as those listed below. If you have any illness symptoms you may want to reconsider coming to classes. If you test positive for COVID-19 do not come to PCC sites.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Facemasks
Effective April 3, 2023, consistent with Oregon Health Authority (OHA) regulations, PCC will no longer require facemasks to be worn at PCC sites that are considered healthcare settings. These include the Dental Clinic and Counseling Offices. PCC has not required facemasks to be worn in classrooms, offices, and most other public and private indoor spaces at PCC sites since June 20, 2022.
Some people in our PCC community may feel more comfortable continuing to wear a mask. This is a personal decision that we wholeheartedly support. We ask that our community respect the choice of colleagues and students who keep their masks on. We also respectfully request that faculty, staff, and students respect the choice of others who do not wish to wear a mask.
If you choose to wear a facemask:
- Wash your hands before putting on your face covering.
- Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
- Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face.
- Make sure you can breathe easily.
PCC will make facemasks available upon request.
Physical distancing
Consistent with Oregon Health Authority (OHA) regulations, physical distancing is no longer required. We encourage faculty, staff, and students respect the choice of those who wish to continue social distancing.
Wash your hands
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a 60% or higher alcohol-based hand sanitizer as needed. Soap and water will be available in all restrooms, and hand sanitizer stations can be found in high-use areas such as entrances to buildings and classrooms, as feasible.
Respiratory etiquette is also very important. You should cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow, or a tissue. Tissues should be disposed of and hands washed or sanitized immediately.
Accommodations
If an individual has a medical or disability-related reason for not being able to meet COVID-19 health and safety protocols and administrative procedures they should contact aedr@pcc.edu (students) and adacoordinator@pcc.edu (employees) to request an accommodation before visiting a PCC facility. Individuals are highly encouraged to seek accommodations if necessary, before entering a PCC facility.
If an individual, in good faith, states that they are aware of the protocols and administrative procedures and meet the requirements for a disability-related accommodation, they should not have their access or participation in PCC’s programs, activities, or services limited (or denied) based on not complying with COVID-19-related protocols and administrative procedures. Individuals who have previously been determined not to have a medical or disability-related reason for not complying with COVID-19-related protocols and administrative procedures must follow all applicable protocols and procedures.
PCC is required to permit remote instruction/telework or make other reasonable accommodations for students and employees who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Each situation will be evaluated individually to determine how reasonable accommodation can be made, and whether it has to be in person or whether it could be done remotely.