by (Update Nov. 18: NCC’s COVID-19 Reporting Dashboard was updated Nov. 18, this article has been updated to reflect the new case numbers. There have been 41 COVID-19 cases reported at NCC in the fall semester, 12 of those are considered “current positive cases.”)
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Northampton Community College attempted to hold 20% of its course programs on campus. Due to a steep rise in COVID-19 cases statewide, including 41 cases reported on NCC campuses during the fall semester, the administration has announced that most classes will move to remote learning on Nov. 25.
Courses that require lab work will continue on campus. These include “science labs, dental, EMT, funeral services, medical assistant, massage therapy, nursing, radiography and veterinary technician programs,” according to a message from Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Sedgwick L. Harris, emailed to students and posted to NCC’s website on Tuesday.
Students and faculty continuing to go to campus should report any COVID-like symptoms — cough, fever, shortness of breath — to the NCC Health Center by phone and email: (610) 861-5365; HealthCenter@nullNorthampton.edu.
“With the reduced student traffic on campus and our rigorous health protocols in place we remain confident we can finish the semester safely,” said NCC President Mark Erickson in an email to staff.
Of the 41 confirmed COVID-19 cases on NCC campuses, 12 are considered “current positive cases.” NCC’s COVID-19 Reporting Dashboard can be viewed here: https://www.northampton.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-dashboard.htm
The fall semester will continue on schedule, classes ending Dec. 12 and finals beginning Dec. 14. The winter semester begins Dec. 14 and will be entirely online.
Offices will remain open on all NCC campuses, but students are asked to seek administrative assistance online before going to campus. The spring semester, which begins Jan. 18, was not addressed in Tuesday’s announcement.
Pennsylvania has not seen a day with fewer than 4,000 new COVID-19 cases since Nov. 9. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 5,512 cases Friday and 5,402 on Saturday. Statewide and county data can be viewed here: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Cases.aspx
In Northampton County, there is currently a 20% chance of contracting COVID-19 at an event with 15 people, according to a risk assessment tool developed by the Georgia Institute of Technology; a less conservative estimate raises the likelihood of contraction to 36%. The tool can be viewed and used here: https://covid19risk.biosci.gatech.edu/
