COVID-19 Updates
The latest information on WPCC’s response to the pandemic
A Commitment to Safety & Protection
WPCC is committed to the health and safety of our campus community. This page shares information about our response to the pandemic along with resources to assist you with your studies and interactions with our employees, offices, and departments.
Starting January 2023, Western Piedmont Community College will respond to suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 just as it responds to other communicable diseases. The College’s approach is explained in Policy 02.02.100 Communicable Diseases and Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens. This policy applies to symptoms and illness experienced by students, employees, and others who visit any of the College’s locations.
Anyone experiencing symptoms should stay home. Additionally, the College urges its employees as well as the employees of contractors or contracted services to notify the appropriate Supervisor if they suspect infection with a communicable disease. Students should notify their instructors if they will be absent. Faculty will seek guidance from their dean if a student will be out longer than one week. Academic deans will consult with the Dean of Student Services for situations where an absence longer than 14 days is expected.
Finally, students, employees and visitors are encouraged to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines if they confirm that they have COVID-19 or suspect that they have been exposed to the virus. Latest updates from the CDC are available at http://www.cdc.gov.
Resources for Needs
Find Support Online
COVID-19 is putting strains on everyone socially and economically. Here are links to resources that you may find useful if you have needs.
North Carolina Student Resources
- Aunt Bertha – Enter your zip code to locate services like medical care, food, job training, and more.
- NC 211 – NC 211 provides a wide variety of resources to help during the crisis.
- NCCARE360 – Have a need? Find a local agency who can help.
- Partners Health Management – Mental health and substance abuse services. To reach any office, call 877-864-1454 (Relay NC 711 or TTY (English) 800-735-2962; (Spanish) 888-825-6570).
- WPCC Counseling Services – WPCC offers free, confidential, personal counseling services to currently enrolled students. Counseling services are available to full or part-time students who are dealing with issues related to stress, anxiety, depression, relationship/family issues or substance abuse that impacts their ability to be successful in their coursework.
HEERF CARES Act Grants
WPCC has posted information about student grants through this federal program. LEARN MORE
COVID-19 Resources
Here are some links to online resources for COVID-19 and guidelines to help you keep safe and combat getting the virus.
Take These Precautions
The following precautions are a part of good health practices:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Do not reuse a tissue after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose.
- Clean and disinfect any surfaces that are frequently touched.
- It is also a good practice to start being more aware of the number of times a day your hands touch an object or hard surface and then touch your face without being washed. Limiting the exposure of your nose, mouth and eyes to unwashed hands can help protect from the spread of all germs and illnesses.
- Have a plan in case you need to miss work or other responsibilities due to personal illness or to care for a sick family member.
- Pregnant women and those who have children should review the CDC recommendations on COVID 19.
Online Resources
Illness & Prevention Strategies
WPCC recommends the following practices to help prevent or control the spread of illness:
- Anyone demonstrating cold or flu-like symptoms should use sick leave and stay home until the symptoms have not been present for at least 48 hours.
- Use good hygiene practices as outlined below to keep from spreading any infectious diseases.
- High-risk individuals or those who are in regular contact with high risk individuals should take extra precautions to not spread any infectious diseases.
Online Resources
You can stay up on the latest confirmed information about COVID-19 using the following links to online resources:
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page updated January 27, 2022