College of Western Idaho (CWI) is actively monitoring information regarding Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19); we are committed to keeping our campus community informed.
COVID-19, is primarily spread from person to person through respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes and through close contact (within 6 feet) of someone that is infected. It may be possible to be infected by touching infected surfaces then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
CWI is currently taking a proactive approach by implementing:
- Closely monitoring the Health Department and Center for Disease Control and is following recommendations for the control and prevention of COVID-19.
- Increasing cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces during cold and flu season and will continue the practice during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Providing trash receptacles for used tissues in classrooms and other common areas.
- Providing adequate hand washing supplies and easily available hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol in corridors and common areas.
Guidelines for CWI departments and community to prevent the spread of infection:
- Have tissues and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol available.
- Encourage staff and students to stay home when they are sick. Call your medical provider and seek care for fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Encourage employees and students to not return to campus until at least 24 hours after fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine (Tylenol, Advil, etc.).
- Practice and encourage prevention strategies to those around you, see attached fliers.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, when visibly dirty, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Practice respiratory hygiene
- Cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Dispose of the tissue in the nearest waste receptacle.
- Clean hands after contact with respiratory secretions or contaminated objects/materials.
- Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth).
- Avoid sharing food, drinks, cosmetics or personal care items (lip balm, eye drops, etc.)
Above guidelines published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For additional information, please follow these resources:
- Central District Health at https://cdhd.idaho.gov/
- Southwest District Health at https://phd3.idaho.gov/
- Center For Disease Control at https://www.cdc.gov/
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare at https://cdhd.idaho.gov/pdfs/cd/Coronavirus/02_%2020_SchoolGuidance-IDHW.pdf
- For up to date information on the 2019 coronavirus at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
- Mapping tracking at https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6