Student Health Services

Coronavirus Updates

Be health, stay well and avoid Coronavirus

Foothill College is here to support you. We want you to be safe and healthy and to successfully complete your classes! The college is focused on these goals.

Please be sure to read our email communications for students and employees. If we all work together, take sensible precautions, and also act responsibly, we'll get through this time of the Coronavirus.

We'll be in touch on a regular basis and include further updates here about the the Coronavirus. Also see our Frequently Asked Questions below.

Quick Updates

3/16

All instruction and student services will go virtual beginning Tuesday, March 17. See tips and instructions for the virtual campus.

If you develop flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat), please consult your healthcare professional immediately and remain at home until your symptoms improve.

Keep Yourself Healthy

Gel In, Gel Out

Gel in, gel out! Use hand sanitizer when entering and leaving campus spaces.
Wash you hands frequently using soap and water.
Cough or sneeze into a your sleeve or tissue.
Stay up to date here!

Updates for Students

Updates for Faculty & Staff

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I go and what should I do if I'm sick?

PLEASE SEE THE TWO SCENARIOS BELOW

If you have cough, fever, shortness of breath, BUT have not had any contact with someone under investigation or a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient, and have not traveled, please follow these instructions:

Go to your doctor or contact Foothill’s Student Health Center to be further evaluated.
Please schedule the appointment virtually via telemedicine services
Please note: If you are seen or consult with the Student Health Center, you may be asked to sign a release of Medical Information to notify the school that you are ill or being sent home under observation.

If you have a fever, cough, AND shortness of breath AND you have had close contact with a laboratory- confirmed COVID-19 patient within 14 days of symptom onset, or a history of travel from affected geographic areas (*see below) within 14 days of symptom onset, please follow these instructions:

*Note: affected geographic areas: China, Japan, South Korea, Italy, and Iran

Go directly to the local emergency room/hospital for Coronavirus testing. Call ahead of time if possible.
DO NOT go to Foothill’s Student Health Center in person. Another option is to schedule an online Telemed consultation virtually via Telemedicine Services.
Contact the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department by dialing 408. 885.3980.
Wear a facemask before you enter the emergency room or ask for a mask immediately.
Avoid contact with others.
DO .ot travel while you are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
If you test positive for COVID-19 or are advised by a medical professional to self-quarantine and stay home, contact the Dean of Students Office at 650.949.7241 or via email at studentaffairs@foothill.edu to notify the college. The Dean of Students Office will communicate with faculty and coordinate academic flexibility needs.

Are classes going to be canceled at Foothill?

We are not currently planning to cancel classes, but will reassess as the Covid-19 situation develops. The current risk levels are low and we should carry on as normal. The general rule of thumb is to maintain normalcy as much as possible when confronted by exceptional situations.

Will there be a campus shutdown? Who's supposed to be telling us this?

Foothill College will follow public health recommendations and there has been no mandate to shut school campuses. Thus, there are no current plans to shut down the campus. If this does become necessary, the college will message directly to faculty, students, and staff using text, email, and our website. Please also see the QR code on the posters around campus to directly access information.

If a student is sick with symptoms of the virus, will their presence on campus compromise the health of other students?

An ill student should stay home and seek medical attention. If a student comes to class with a fever/cough/sore throat, they will be directed to the Health Center immediately. They will be asked to go home until their symptoms have abated for at least 24 hours. Faculty will be prepared to make reasonable accommodations in cases of tests, missed lectures, etc.

How can other students protect themselves but still attend classes?

Follow the basic protocol (hand washing, etc.). Please see the poster around campus for more information.

If students get the coronavirus, will they still have to take their final exams? Will that be handled on a case by case basis depending on the instructor?

Any student who becomes ill will be supported by the college. Our focus will be to make sure the student has appropriate medical care. The administration will then work with the student's instructors to agree on a sensible and fair way for the student to successfully complete the class when they have recovered.

In the event of a campus shut down during class time/finals, would instructors be open to preparing online accessible content?

We are working with instruction and the office of online learning to prepare for this eventuality and will make sure that students are able to complete their course work successfully.

One of my friends witnessed a group of students in the cafeteria not wanting to sit next to an Asian student because they were scared. There's a strong misconception among students that it's coming from China and that Chinese students are the problem.

Please be kind and empathetic to all your colleagues. This virus in no one's fault. We have had virus outbreaks before and we'll have them again. Please do not stigmatize any students based on their race, ethnicity, or nationality. Instead reach out to fellow Foothill students and support each other.

I want to know if we need to get our own masks or if the school will provide them. I haven't shopped for masks yet, but I heard they were sold out a couple of weeks ago.

Masks should only be used by students who are actually ill (have a fever, bad cough, shortness of breath, etc.). We do have masks for students who present these or any other flu-like symptoms. The Health Center dispenses masks on a case-by-case basis.

Can we put flyers and information in the bathrooms

There are flyers all over campus and we will put up more. Please use the QR code on the posters to access our website for information.

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