Student/Employee Resources During COVID-19

Miramar College Health Services Covid-19 Update March 24, 2023

The federal public health emergency declaration ends on May 11, 2023.  The Nurses at Health Services would like to draw your attention to the impact this may have:

  • COVID Vaccines will no longer be free of charge - Both Pfizer and Moderna have recently stated that the cost of a vaccine will between $110 and $130 per dose.   It is expected that most health insurances will continue to cover this vaccination, but individuals who are uninsured may find it difficult to afford.
  • Health Services will continue to provide free Covid vaccine and boosters while our supplies last. We suggest not waiting till May 11th if you project an upcoming need. Appointments are available at Health Services 619-388-7881
  •  We anticipate the Free At-Home Covid-19 Test Kit Program will come to an end on May 11th, 2023.  Consider the value of ordering Covid tests in March, April and early May to have a few free at home test kits at from the government incase you might have use for them in the summer or the fall season.  Order and stock up from the following link. - https://special.usps.com/testkits

Health Services wishes everyone a healthy and fun Spring.

SDCCD Covid-19 Update March 3, 2023

COVID-19 infections in San Diego County have steadily declined over the first two months of 2023. Wastewater measurements at the Point Loma treatment center suggest the prevalence of COVID-19 is one-quarter of what it was in late December. We have observed the same trend in cases within our District. In January and February of 2022, we had over 400 reported COVID-19 cases among employees and students. In January and February this year, we had 100 reported cases. These data are especially encouraging given the increase in in-person classes and services and the removal of the face covering requirement as we started this calendar year. The District has been deliberate in implementing the return to in-person work and activities and reducing COVID-19 mitigation measures to prioritize health and safety and the data suggest we have been successful.

As explained in previous communications, the District continues to require all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with exemptions granted for valid religious and medical reasons. Individuals with approved exemptions are evaluated for reasonable accommodation options. The accommodation process is an ongoing, individualized, and confidential procedure based evolving health and safety conditions.

The District’s Operations, Enterprise Services, and Facilities Division continues to identify and implement ventilation enhancements to maximize airflow and reduce the likelihood of concentrated air particles within all the District’s facilities. These measures increase protection against the spread of any airborne contaminants, making our classrooms and workspaces safer for everyone.

We encourage all community members to continue practicing healthy behaviors such as frequent hand washing, limiting close contact with others at work, staying home when you feel sick, getting tested if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, and wearing a face covering when in social settings where airborne illnesses may be easily spread.

Thank you for your continued efforts to protect the health of our communities

SDCCD Statement on Covid-19 Policy: March 3, 2023

“The Board of Trustees of the San Diego Community College District remains committed to providing safe and healthy education and work environments for all members of our communities. We recognize our communities have differing perspectives on COVID-19 and vaccination requirements. The district will continue to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and will continue to provide religious and medical exemptions and accommodations where safe and reasonable. In light of the improved public health conditions in San Diego County, the district is reevaluating accommodation options for employees who have been subject to disciplinary action. Accommodation options for terminated employees will be reassessed as part of appeal procedures. At this time, the Board of Trustees is not considering any employee terminations related to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. As public health conditions in our region continue to improve, we are excited to see our communities returning to in-person classes and services as we expand access, success, and equity in our wide range of educational programs and support services. The district cannot comment on confidential personnel matters involving individual employees.”

Covid Tests and Vaccine Information January 31, 2023

With President Biden announcing yesterday that the public health emergency declarations for COVID will end in May, Student Health would like to remind you that each household is still eligible to receive four free COVID Tests.  To claim yours, go to the follow site (https://special.usps.com/testkits).   

Important to know, is the expiration dates on the COVID tests are often extended, and the box date might not represent its current expiration date. Please visit this site (https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list ) to view the table that will shows different brand tests and their corrected shelf-life for all COVID Tests.

Student Health offers free Moderna and Pfizer Bivalent, first time Covid doses and seasonal flu doses to those who ask.  Call 619-388-7881 for an appointment.

As always, if you have any questions about COVID-19, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at Student Health Services.

The Miramar Student Health Services Team

For appointments or questions 619-388-7881.

Image removed.All are invited to Canvas pages for Student Health:

Physical Care https://sdccd.instructure.com/enroll/BBKDKY

Mental Health  https://sdccd.instructure.com/enroll/8Y7966

Campus Face Covering Requirement to End December 19, 2022             

The San Diego Community College District – which includes San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges – will no longer require face coverings on district property beginning December 19.

The SDCCD made the announcement on November 7, stating the decision was made only after the issue was discussed extensively during the fall semester with SDCCD leadership, the Board of Trustees, labor representatives, a COVID-19 Advisory Group, and other stakeholders. 

“The health, safety, and welfare of our community will continue to remain our top priority, and we are proud of the actions we have taken to date to protect our students, faculty, and classified professional staff during this most devastating pandemic,” said SDCCD Chancellor Carlos O. Cortez. “With the availability of improved vaccinations and medications, along with a sharp decline in hospitalizations, conditions are allowing us to drop the mask requirement at this time.”

Chancellor Cortez noted, however, that should conditions change, such as a significant increase in the prevalence of COVID-19 in the region, the face covering requirement may be reinstated. And though face coverings are no longer required, they will be encouraged when a person is indoors or in close contact with others. The SDCCD will continue to provide face coverings, including N-95 or KN-95 masks, at all campuses and other district facilities.

Lifting the face covering requirement on December 19 will allow classes during the SDCCD’s January intersession and the spring semester to proceed without any special requirements. For more information on the spring semester, visit classes.sdccd.edu.

SDCCD COVID-19 Board Resolution Overview (6/9/2022)

At the June 9, 2022 Board meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution directing the District’s COVID-19 protocols going forward. The resolution is the culmination of more than two years of work to understand how COVID-19 spreads, successful mitigation measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in public education institutions, the full impact of the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and distance learning and service modalities on our diverse communities, evolving requirements and recommendations of public health agencies, and most importantly, the interests and concerns of students, faculty, classified professionals, supervisors, and managers throughout our colleges and district.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many difficult choices for each of us as individuals, for our colleges, and for our district. To protect the health and safety of our students, employees, and communities, we have relied primarily on technology to provide instruction and services remotely. While this ensured we could continue to serve our communities, it has created new barriers to access and success for far too many of our current and prospective students. Throughout the District’s phased-in reopening, in which we have cautiously resumed in-person instruction, services, and activities, we have used multiple layers of COVID-19 protections to minimize the spread of COVID-19 within our District, which have imposed additional barriers on access that disproportionately impact some of the communities and students we serve.

Our core mission is providing open access educational institutions committed to equity, inclusion, and success for our diverse students and communities by responding to their unique needs. Managing the health and safety impacts of COVID-19 within our mission has been extraordinarily difficult. As we enter the final stage of our phased-in reopening, we want to ensure our COVID-19 prevention strategies and mission continue to be aligned allowing students to pursue their educational goals in as safe of an environment as possible.

You can access and read the Board resolution directing the District’s COVID-19 protocols here: https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/sdccd/Board.nsf/files/CF7R4967578B/$file/Board%20of%20Trustees%20COVID-19%20Mitigation%20Program%20Resolution.pdf

Key Provisions of the Board Resolution:

  1. Employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19, including booster doses, or have an approved legal exemption and work accommodation
  2. Beginning with the fall 2022 semester, students will not be required to be vaccinated to participate in in-person instruction, unless vaccination is required for a specific program or activity by law, regulation, or other applicable governing organization
  3. Face coverings will continue to be required for all individuals onsite at District facilities during periods of high transmission of COVID-19 in San Diego County

The resolution allows the district and its colleges to resume serving all individuals seeking our instruction and services in the modality which best meets their needs and interests while ensuring our employees are protected against contracting COVID-19 and experiencing serious illness. Data analyzed by the CDC (https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#rates-by-vaccine-status) shows individuals fully vaccinated and boosted are less likely to contract COVID-19 and far less likely to suffer fatal illness. Requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is the most significant single measure the District can take in ensuring employees are healthy and our instruction and services continue to be available to our students and communities.

COVID-19 Protocols for Students

Access to in-person summer courses will be limited to students who are vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved legal exemption and accommodation by the District. The vaccination requirement will be removed for enrollment in courses for the fall semester. The colleges and district office will coordinate to remove current procedures for requiring vaccination for students, prospective students, and community members to access services and non-instructional activities to ensure open access for fall enrollment. Students and visitors to the colleges and district facilities will be required to wear face coverings while indoors, while outdoors and within six feet of others, and as required at all times in specific programs and activities until further notice. The District will continue to monitor local public health conditions related to COVID-19 to determine when the face covering requirement for students may be removed.

COVID-19 Protocols for Employees

All employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination, which includes booster doses as approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO). Exemptions from the requirement to be vaccinated and/or receive a booster dose based on a medical condition or religious belief will be provided in accordance with federal and state law. Accommodations to work for employees with approved exemptions will be made in accordance with federal and state law. Further direction is provided on exemptions and accommodations below.

Employees who do not have an approved exemption must be fully vaccinated and up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination to comply with District policy. Employees who have been fully vaccinated (received two doses of a mRNA vaccine or a single dose vaccine) prior to February 1, 2022 must receive a booster dose by July 1, 2022. Employees who were fully vaccinated after February 1, 2022 must receive a booster dose when eligible. Human Resources will notify employees who were fully vaccinated after February 1, 2022 when they are required to provide documentation of a booster dose to comply with the District vaccination requirement.

All employees are eligible for paid leave to get vaccinated and for vaccine-related symptoms. Please contact the Human Resources Division at employment@sdccd.edu for details on COVID-19 related leaves, including for vaccination.

COVID-19 Vaccination Documentation Submission Process

To submit documentation of your COVID-19 vaccination, please log into your employee portal in PeopleSoft (https://myportal.sdccd.edu/psp/IHPRD/?cmd=login), select the “Employee Dashboard”, select the “My Forms” menu option in the vertical banner to the left of the screen, and then select the “VACCINATION CONFIRMATION FORM”.

Employees vaccinated in California must upload their digital COVID-19 vaccination record from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). You can obtain a digital copy of your record here: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/. If you were vaccinated in California and are unable to obtain your digital record, please contact the Human Resources Division at employment@sdccd.edu.

Employees vaccinated outside of California, including in countries other than the United States, must upload their vaccination documentation showing at least their name, COVID vaccine manufacturer, COVID vaccine lot or other identifying number, vaccination location, and date(s) of vaccination. If your vaccination record does not contain this information, please contact the Human Resources Division at employment@sdccd.edu.

Vaccination Requirement Exemption and Accommodations Process

Employees with an approved exemption in place do not need to submit a new exemption request. Current work and leave accommodations for employees with approved exemptions will be assessed by the Human Resources Division to determine the available accommodations going forward given the District’s COVID-19 protocols and operational needs. Employees and their supervisors will be notified of their accommodation status no later than July 8th.

Employees who have not previously requested and received an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement may submit the “VACCINATION EXEMPTION FORM” for consideration. For assistance submitting the form, please contact employment@sdccd.edu. The exemption request will be reviewed by the Human Resources Division and the employee will be notified of the determination. If an exemption is approved, the Human Resources Division will review accommodation options and notify the employee and their supervisor of their accommodation decision.

All employees must be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination or have an approved exemption and accommodation. Failure to comply with the District vaccination policy will lead to disciplinary action, which may include termination.

Use of Face Coverings

The District’s current face covering requirement will continue indefinitely due to the levels of COVID-19 transmission in San Diego County. The Board resolution directs the District to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 in our local communities using a variety of data sources, including wastewater monitoring measurement, reported COVID-19 positive cases, hospitalizations and health care facility capacity, and other data provided by federal, state, and local public health agencies. This information will guide decisions regarding face covering requirements and other measures which may be necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at college and district facilities and in our programs and activities.

If you are interested in monitoring the data sources primarily used by the District, you may be interested in the following:

San Diego County Wastewater Monitoring: https://searchcovid.info/dashboards/wastewater-surveillance/

San Diego County COVID-19 Data: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/community_epidemiology/dc/2019-nCoV/status.html (recommend subscribing to the COVID-19 Watch Weekly Surveillance Report available at this site)

California COVID-19 Data: https://covid19.ca.gov/state-dashboard/

CDC COVID-19 Data: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

Thank you for your ongoing support of the District’s COVID-19 protocols and prevention measures throughout the pandemic and as we complete our phased-in reopening. Most importantly, thank you for every action you have taken to help ensure we continue to serve our students, communities, and employees as effectively, efficiently, and equitably as we can while managing the impacts of COVID-19. Your efforts are seen, appreciated, celebrated, and invaluable.

Summer '22-Operational Outline

The following information is subject to change without notice. Posted June 13, 2022. 

Masking

All individuals must wear face coverings while indoors at a District facility regardless of vaccination status, unless they have a medical exemption approved by Risk Management.  Face coverings may be removed while individuals are outdoors and physically distanced (six feet apart), when alone in a workspace, when in a vehicle alone, while eating or drinking and physically distanced, while performing duties that cannot be done safely while wearing a face covering, or for specific meetings or events attended only by fully vaccinated individuals as approved by Risk Management.

How do I obtain PPE?

Limited stores of PPE are available for distribution.  Surgical masks, multiple use N95 masks, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and surface cleaner are available.  Please reach out to your supervisor/manager to arrange distribution.

Employee COVID Reporting

If an employee is sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, they must stay home from work.  Employees must report their symptoms or positive COVID-19 test to their supervisor or manager.  The employee will be contacted by SDCCD Risk Management for specific quarantine requirements and follow-up testing and safety requirements.

Student COVID Reporting

If a student is sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, they must not participate in face-to-face instruction or student services.  Students must report their positive COVID-19 test to their instructor.  The student positive COVID-19 reporting form is published at student fillable Positive COVID Test Reporting Form-3_0.pdf (sdmiramar.edu).  The instructor will report to their Department Chair and Dean.  Students will be contacted by Student Health Services for specific quarantine requirements and follow-up testing and safety requirements.  Close contact employees will be contacted by SDCCD Risk Management for specific follow-up.

How do I get a COVID test?

SDCCD is no longer providing COVID testing on site.   Individuals must obtain PCR testing from their healthcare provider or local pharmacy or San Diego Testing Site.  

Whom do I contact if I have a question?

For specific operational questions, contact your supervisor/manager.  COVID-19 information for employees is published at https://www.sdccd.edu/about/departments-and-offices/human-resources/risk-management/covid-employees.aspx.  COVID-19 information for students is published at https://www.sdccd.edu/students/covid19/

 

Updated Mask and Vaccine Requirements for Spring 2022

We hope the start of your Spring 2022 semester is off to a good start.  Please read the following as it contains important information regarding vaccine and mask requirements.

Spring 2022 Mask Requirements

On Tuesday, February 15th, the California Department of Public Health order requiring all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings while indoors in public spaces will expire. This will not change District policy, which requires all individuals to wear an acceptable face covering while indoors and while outdoors on campus and within six feet of others.

District Face Covering Requirement

On Tuesday, February 15th, the California Department of Public Health order requiring all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings while indoors in public spaces will expire. This will not change the District’s policy, which requires all individuals on District property to wear an acceptable face covering while indoors and while outdoors and within six feet of others. While individuals who are fully vaccinated may enter many public spaces without a face covering, the requirement will be in place for all District facilities and events throughout the spring semester.

Acceptable Face Coverings

The District’s definition of an acceptable face covering is based on the research on materials and coverings effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19 and Cal-OSHA requirements. As stated in the District’s COVID-19 Prevention Plan (https://www.sdccd.edu/docs/District/employee/COVID.SDCCD.Prevention.Plan.pdf), face coverings means a surgical mask, a medical procedure mask, a respirator worn voluntarily (N95 mask), or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material of at least two layers. A face covering has no visible holes or openings and must cover the nose and mouth. A face covering does not include a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck, collar, or single layer of fabric.

All individuals must wear an acceptable face covering unless they are outdoors and physically distanced, in a vehicle alone, while eating or drinking, while performing duties which cannot be done safely while wearing a face covering, or while alone in a workspace. Face coverings are available at all District facilities for individuals who need one. If you would like a N95 mask, please let your supervisor know. Please ensure you are complying with this requirement at all times to avoid any potential discipline.

 

Important Updates from District:

Chancellor's Update - January 27, 2022

Student Update - January 20, 2022

 

 

Summer 2022 Semester

 

As we navigate the start of the Summer 2022 Semester, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact how we learn, teach, and work.  

Students enrolled in classes with an on-campus component or utilizing services at any district location must provide proof of full vaccination (per CDC guidelines) or have an eligible medical exemption on file, or they will be dropped from their class. Vaccination is not required for students enrolled exclusively in online courses or those who not come on campus; however, SDCCD strongly encourages all district community members to be vaccinated.

 

 

OTHER RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

ACADEMIC 

BASIC NEEDS RESOURCES

 

 

CDC COVID-19 UPDATES

COVID-19 Vaccines

The COVID-19 Vaccination is an important tool to end the COVID-19 pandemic.  Remember you can get a vaccine at no cost to you at sites all over Sand Diego County.

San Diego COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

 

The San Diego Miramar Associated Student Government's message about COVID Vaccines

ASG Message About Vaccines

 

Are Vaccines Safe?