by A survey conducted by NCC’s Infectious Disease Task Force showed that the majority of students and faculty who responded said they were vaccinated for COVID-19, yet questions remain.
Ninety-three percent of NCC faculty and staff who responded to the June survey said they are fully vaccinated and 68% of students registered for the fall semester said they are vaccinated. The survey also showed that 63% of respondents plan to attend classes on campus, as opposed to online, but the survey did not indicate what percentage of those respondents planning to attend on-campus classes are vaccinated.
Northampton County is currently at high risk for COVID-19 transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s online data tracker. Monroe and Lehigh counties are at “substantial” risk, the community transmission level at which the CDC recommends even vaccinated individuals wear a mask in public places.
Partnering with Giant, NCC will host vaccine clinics on August 11, noon-4 p.m., at Main Campus in Bethlehem Township and August 12, 2-5 p.m., at Monroe Campus. The Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be offered.
NCC is not requiring students or faculty to be vaccinated for COVID-19. This decision, according to the Infectious Disease Task Force, is based on the vaccines’ current status as “emergency use.”
However, NCC students planning to live on campus must be vaccinated. Students who opt out for medical, religious or philosophical reasons must complete an exemption from immunization form and remain masked when on campus, according to Residence Life. Students that exhibit COVID-19 symptoms must leave the Residence Hall.
Since the start of the pandemic, NCC reported 233 COVID-19 cases on campus. Updated case numbers can be viewed on NCC’s COVID-19 Reporting Dashboard.
NCC’s Infectious Disease Task Force can be contacted at COVID19@nullnorthampton.edu.
