A Hopkinsville Community College employee has tested positive for COVID-19, the college announced today in a news release.
Anyone who has been in contact with the employee will be contacted by the Christian County Health Department, according to the release.
The individual, who works on the main campus, is the second known employee to test positive for the novel coronavirus. On March 22, HCC announced that a 24-year-old man who was an employee at the college had received a presumptive positive test result for COVID-19. It was the county’s second known case of the virus.
“HCC is currently following a reopening plan which limits in-person capacity to 50% of employees on campus with the remaining continuing remote work. Mandatory face coverings, social distancing, hand sanitizing and additional facility cleaning are all practices that are in place at both the Hopkinsville and Fort Campbell campuses,” HCC’s Healthy at Work Officer Yvonne Glasman said in the release. “All of our employees are also required to complete an online self check-in prior to reporting to campus that requires them to take their temperature and answer questions regarding exposure and symptoms. Additionally, each of our buildings has check-in tables where face coverings, gloves and hand sanitizer are available. We have also applied floor decals to remind everyone to practice social distancing.”
Both HCC campuses are open with appointments preferred. The Hopkinsville campus began gradually reopening on June 15, while the Fort Campbell campus reopened on July 6, which also is when summer classes began. According to HCC’s website, summer courses are primarily being taught online, though some combine online and on-campus study.
Fall courses begin on Aug. 17, and are planned to be offered in three formats: online, in-person and a combination of both.
“The health and safety of employees and students continue to be a primary concern at HCC,” HCC President Dr. Alissa Young said in today’s release. “We have extensive protocols in place that will help us manage through this difficult health crisis. None of us want to hear of a positive case, but if we do, we are reminded of why we are working together implementing these extra precautions.”
This story has been updated to clarify that the employee works on the main campus.
(Julia Hunter is the webmaster for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at Julia_Hunter622@hotmail.com.)
Julia Hunter is the engagement editor for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at julia@hoptownchronicle.org.
