Contagious Diseases Policy

Patrick & Henry Community College is committed to ensuring a healthy and safe educational environment for all students and employees. In accordance with VCCS policy, P&HCC policy is to prevent the spread of communicable/contagious diseases through measures that focus on safety, prevention and education and to provide continuity of education in the event of a contagious disease outbreak. The following policies were adopted in order to maintain a safe environment that is conducive to learning.

• Persons who know or who have reason to believe that they are infected with a contagious disease of public health significance/threat have an ethical and legal obligation to conduct themselves in accordance with such knowledge in order to protect themselves and others.
• Students who feel unwell or display any symptoms of illness should not report to class and immediately advise their Instructor of their status.
• Students with the symptoms of or a diagnosed contagious disease should promptly seek medical attention if they have a medical condition that puts them at increased risk of severe illness or are concerned about their general health.
• Regarding illness symptoms, such as increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or rapid breathing or similar patterns of symptoms, students should self-isolate at home or at a friend’s or family member’s home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
• COVID 19: Effective 3/12/2024 
  • Positive Test Result - The student will contact their instructors (regardless of face-to-face or online modality) immediately. The student will quarantine for a minimum of 3 days after the positive test result OR after the fever subsides without the use of fever reducing medications, whichever comes last. The student can then return to class and is strongly encouraged to wear a mask for the week after returning to class. 
  • COVID Exposure - The student should be diligent in monitoring their symptoms for 10 days after the exposure. Students are encouraged to test once during days 3-5 after the exposure occurred. If the student develops symptoms, do not attend class. The student should test immediately and follow-up with their instructors regarding the progress of their classes. If the student tests positive, follow the “Positive Test Result” guidance provided above.