Keep Safe
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Masking
The College offers free surgical masks and hand sanitizer stations at all major building entrances. Complimentary N-95 masks are available at the Health Services Office (Biederman 106).
COVID-19 Symptoms
Per the CDC guidelines, people with the following symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home to prevent further viral spread and take a COVID-19 test. You may return to campus five days after symptoms subside, and should consider wearing a well-fitting mask for the next five days.
Testing
Students and employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are expected to stay home until symptoms subside.
- Students and employees have access to free testing at NMC Health Services. Call (231) 995-1255 to schedule an appointment. Health Services is open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Friday during Fall and Spring semesters.
- Community members are encouraged to utilize free community testing sites and maintain a stock of rapid antigen tests at your residence. Effective September 25, 2023, free rapid tests (4-pack) can be ordered through the United States Postal Service.
Exposure
If you are exposed to COVID-19:
- Monitor for symptoms for 10 days following the date of last exposure.
- Take precautions. It's recommended to wear a mask if you will be around others inside your home or inside in public.
- Get tested at least 5 full days following your last exposure. If you test positive, follow isolation guidelines. If you test negative, continue to monitor for symptoms.
Isolation
Per the CDC, you are most infectious and should isolate from others during the first five days of infection. Isolation (day 1) should begin on the first day following symptoms onset, or the first day following a positive test if asymptomatic. If symptoms subside after five days, you may return to campus and should consider wearing a mask for the next five days when in public.
Contact Tracing and Case Reporting
Contract tracing is no longer emphasized by the CDC except for high-risk group-living situations such as nursing homes, hospitals, and prisons. However, NMC Health Services will continue to monitor for classroom and on-campus housing case clusters. Human Resources will continue to monitor for clusters of cases in the workplace.
- Employees who test positive should notify their supervisor and Hollie DeWalt in Human Resources at hdewalt@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1350 and follow isolation procedures.
- Students who test positive should submit a Red Flag report. Instructors may submit this on behalf of the student. Health Services receives the alerts and will follow-up with the student and instructor on next steps.
- Multiple Classroom Case protocols can be found here. NMC Health Services will guide instructors on this assessment.
As of Spring 2022, the College is no longer updating its dashboard for on-campus cases and exposures.
Vaccination
Vaccination is considered the most effective action you can take to prevent severe COVID-19 outcomes. Northwestern Michigan College highly recommends all students and employees be vaccinated (and boosted) for your safety and the safety of our campus community.
Older adults and people with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes are at much higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. If you have an underlying medical condition, please consult your doctor to understand your risks related to COVID-19.
Community vaccination sites can be found here.
Social Distancing
Social distancing is no longer emphasized by the CDC guidelines, but is still listed as a component to protect yourself and others.
On-Campus Housing Protocols
Students who test positive while living in on-campus housing are expected to follow isolation procedures as described above. Please notify your Residence Hall Manager to arrange for support. Roommates of students who test positive in on-campus housing are encouraged to monitor symptoms, but are not restricted nor expected to isolate unless they test positive or become symptomatic. Guests are allowed on-campus but remain subject to College and housing guest policies.
Read NMC's Full Exposure Control Plan here.
Contact Troy Kierczynski, Vice-President for Finance and Administration, at (231) 995-1147 or tkierczynski@nmc.edu with questions.