Coronavirus Updates

Mask guidance for spring 2022  

We want you to stay healthy and safe this semester, especially as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 causes an uptick in breakthrough cases. While the symptoms of the Omicron variant may differ from earlier variants, you can check your symptoms here. 
 
One way we can help protect ourselves and others is by wearing masks. We recommend you wear a face mask indoors, even if you’re fully vaccinated, in spaces where social distancing guidelines of 6 feet or more cannot be maintained. There are mask dispensers around our campuses where you can grab a free mask if you forget yours. 

Pellissippi State also encourages you to  

  • Get vaccinated and boosted, although vaccinations are not required at Pellissippi State. 
  • Stay home when you’re sick or a member of your household is sick. 
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly. 
  • Fill out the self-reporting form if you are exposed to COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19.

Self-reporting helps us support you while you are ill or quarantined. We have services, including confidential counseling, that can help you through a stressful time. 

Thank you for continuing to do your part to help keep us all #PellissippiStrong!  

OTHER COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS 

Pellissippi State has taken several steps to combat coronavirus. Facilities has installed new air purification units in each college building on all five campuses. A third-party study of the technology released in October 2020 showed that these units inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19 by 99.9%. 

Pellissippi State also continues to operate indoor spaces at limited capacity to increase opportunities for social distancing. Academic spaces such as classrooms are operating at 75% capacity while nonacademic spaces such as auditoriums and community rooms are operating at 50% capacity. 


Reporting Guidelines 

Employees and students should fill out our self-reporting form if they are 

  • Experiencing illness 
  • Have tested positive for COVID-19 
  • Are awaiting test results for COVID-19 
  • Suspect they have COVID-19 
  • Have been exposed to a person who has exhibited symptoms of COVID-19, is awaiting COVID-19 test results or has tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure is being within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 23-hour period with someone who has COVID-19.  

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? 

Students who fill out the self-reporting form will receive a follow-up communication from Student Affairs while employees will receive a follow-up communication from the College. 

WHEN SHOULD I STAY HOME FROM CAMPUS AND WHEN CAN I RETURN? 

According to the CDC on Dec. 27, 2021: 

People with COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days and, if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter. 

Additionally, CDC has updated the recommended quarantine period for anyone in the general public who is exposed to COVID-19: 

  • For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second mRNA dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, CDC now recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days.  
  • Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.   
  • For all those exposed, best practice includes testing for SARS-CoV-2 at day 5 after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

For more information, check out the Tennessee Department of Health’s Recommendations for Isolation and Quarantine.