A cluster of COVID-19 cases has been confirmed on the Northwest College campus, prompting more isolation during an overall successful plan to keep students and staff safe.
In an email distributed to students and employees Wednesday afternoon, NWC President Stefani Hicswa confirmed: “a cluster of positive COVID-19 cases was identified among a group of epidemiologically linked students living in the residence halls.”
Those students are currently isolated in designated apartments and those who had close contact with them have been instructed to quarantine in place, as per the college’s reopening plan. This is all being undertaken in close coordination with Park County Public Health.
The college’s COVID Connection team is ensuring the students continue to receive health checks, meals, and coursework while they are sequestered away from the rest of the campus and the student body.
There are now seven active COVID-19 cases at NWC and 15 other people are in quarantine. Seven cases have recovered. This information was posted on the college’s COVID Dashboard, established in September to publicly keep track of cases, and inform the public of any COVID-related campus changes.
Overall, Hicswa is pleased with the work of the COVID Connection process and the rapid response of the Student Success Center and Human Resources team. The goal, Hicswa said, is to keep the campus open until Thanksgiving and she expressed her confidence that this will be achieved – so long as everyone does their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Hicswa will be absent from campus before the end of the Fall 2020 Semester. She will be on leave from NWC beginning Nov. 11, having accepted the chancellorship of Montana State University Billings on Tuesday.
It’s probable that more cases of COVID-19 will be confirmed in the coming weeks, as Park County experiences the same surge in cases seen throughout Wyoming and the nation. Each new confirmation on campus is evaluated under the guidance of public health to ensure there is an appropriate response.
The college will continue only notifying those individuals who confirm positive or had contact with positive cases. All this is done under confidentiality.
Concerns and questions regarding Northwest College’s COVID-19 status and response can be directed to COVID-19@nwc.edu.
