Coronavirus Archive

(Update — March 23, 2020)

Spring Semester Curriculum Classes Have Resumed

Because the health and safety of our campus community is paramount, PCC administrators are following recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with regard to COVID-19 (coronavirus). As such, all extracurricular activities, including athletic events and club meetings, are postponed until further notice.

Though spring classes resumed March 23, a vast majority are now being offered online, in order to reduce social interaction and best safeguard students and employees. These instructional delivery changes will continue until further notice. PCC administrators are planning to reassess the situation on April 3.

For the limited number of courses that do meet, faculty are following CDC COVID-19 health safety guidelines in class.

Course delivery has been altered for many of the continuing education classes already underway. Students are advised to contact instructors if they have questions about the changes. For more information, visit the “Continuing Education and Workforce Development” page on this website.

For high school students taking PCC courses, please note that even though Pitt County Schools classes are currently “on hold,” PCC courses resumed March 23. Please visit the “High School Programs” page on this website for more information.

This is a very fluid and extraordinary situation, and the college is making adjustments as needed. It is essential for students to maintain open communication with instructors and monitor PCC email accounts for course and/or college updates.

(Update — March 16, 2020)

Spring Break Extended FOR STUDENTS

Because the health and safety of our campus community is paramount, PCC administrators are following recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with regard to COVID-19 (coronavirus). As such, they have extended Spring Break for curriculum students through March 22 to allow for much-needed planning and logistics. All extracurricular activities, including athletic events and club meetings, are postponed until further notice.

As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, PCC is adjusting its instructional delivery methods to best safeguard individuals as much as reasonably possible. Traditional and hybrid classes will shift entirely to alternative learning platforms (internet or ‘remote’) and go live on March 23 and run until further notice. The college will reassess the situation on April 3. Faculty will contact their students no later than March 19 and explain how their classes will be run.

Classes with essential lab components, such as those within the Construction and Industrial Technology Division, can run labs as necessary. Faculty will practice CDC COVID-19 health safety guidelines while in class.

Continuing education classes will run as scheduled, unless instructors contact students with scheduling adjustments.

For high school students taking PCC courses, please note that even though Pitt County Schools classes are currently “on hold,” PCC courses resume March 23. Please visit the “High School Programs” page on this website for more information.

Please understand this is a very fluid and extraordinary situation, and the college will make adjustments when necessary. It is essential that students maintain open communication with their instructors and monitor their PCC email accounts for course and/or college updates.

(Update — March 12, 2020)

Because the health and safety of our campus community is paramount, Pitt Community College administrators decided today to extend Spring Break for students through Sunday, March 22. All extracurricular activities, such as athletic events and club meetings, are postponed until further notice.

Though classes will resume Monday, March 23, many of them will be shifted to alternative delivery methods. Students, please monitor your PCC email accounts, as you will be contacted by your instructors no later than Thursday, March 19 about how to proceed with your coursework.

Faculty and staff will receive additional guidance via email and from their supervisors.

PCC administrators would like to reassure everyone that there are no suspected cases of COVID-19 on the PCC campus nor in our community at this time. But the World Health Organization has declared the spread of novel coronavirus to be pandemic, and more than 1,000 cases have been confirmed across the United States.

PCC’s top priority remains safeguarding the health of our campus and community by following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available.

(Update — March 11, 2020)

Non-Essential, College-Related Travel Suspended

Pitt Community College is suspending all non-essential, college-related travel until further notice. Employees with questions regarding travel are asked to check with their supervisor.

Precautionary Measures

Additionally, the college will alter its housekeeping routines to implement increased health and safety protocols. Effective March 12, 2020, all PCC employees will be responsible for placing their trashcans in the hallways at the end of the workday. ALL food waste should be discarded in exterior trashcans located near campus buildings. Housekeeping staff will focus predominantly on sanitizing “high-touch” surfaces, such as doors, light switches and desks.

Employees who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 are asked to contact their supervisor prior to returning to campus.

(March 5, 2020)

Prohibited College-Related Travel

PCC has prohibited college-related travel to areas of the United States where a state of emergency has been declared due to COVID-19. This includes the states of California, Florida and Washington; the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco; and California’s Orange, San Diego and Santa Clara counties.

PCC has also prohibited college-related travel to countries defined by the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Level 3 and Level 2. Level 3 countries include China, Italy, South Korea and Iran. Level 2 countries includes Japan.

In addition to prohibiting college-related travel, personal travel to these areas is strongly discouraged.

Employees already approved for college-related travel to areas impacted by COVID-19 should contact their respective supervisors as soon as possible.

Self-Quarantine

In 80 percent of cases, contraction of COVID-19 results in mild or no symptoms. Self-quarantine is recommended for people who have come in direct contact with individuals confirmed to have the COVID-19 illness and/or individuals who have traveled from areas where COVID-19 transmission is widespread and/or ongoing. In accordance with CDC guidelines, PCC strongly recommends that students and employees who fall into this category self-quarantine for 14 days from the date they left an area with widespread or ongoing community spread (state-of-emergency-declared areas or CDC Level 3).

Follow these steps for self-quarantine.

Additional Restrictions

Upon return from state-of-emergency-declared areas or CDC Level 3 locations, students and employees are required to keep off sites owned and operated by PCC for 14 days. Employees are required to take sick leave during this time, although arrangements may be made to accommodate alternative work schedules that minimize the employee’s utilization of sick leave.

Faculty are encouraged to work with students, though excessive absences may result in students being removed from class.

Those who do not adhere to the self-quarantine directive may face disciplinary action up to and including suspension or termination of employment.

Take Precautionary Measures

Students and employees are encouraged to take the same precautions they would follow in order to prevent influenza and colds. Wash hands frequently, sneeze and cough into shirt sleeves (not hands), and avoid sharing food, cups and utensils. When possible, avoid people who are sick. For those who haven’t done so already, get a flu shot.

With Spring Break approaching, students and employees will be traveling. Use good judgment regarding travel plans. Those planning to travel out of the country for Spring Break can monitor the COVID-19 situation from their respective destinations through the U.S. Department of State and CDC travel notices.

Upon returning from Spring Break—even from areas where COVID-19 is not widespread—keep in mind that it is still peak flu season, and those who are sick should stay away from others until they are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medications). Those who feel ill and have additional medical conditions, such as asthma, pregnancy, diabetes, cancer and heart conditions, or have symptoms that are severe and not improving after several days, should contact a doctor or, in the case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.

PCC officials are actively monitoring updates from the CDC, the U.S. State Department, and the N.C. Division of Public Health. The most up-to-date campus information and resources are posted on this coronavirus webpage. Please remember to refresh this page and/or clear your browser history to ensure you are seeing the latest details.