This message was sent via email to Foothill-De Anza district employees by Chancellor Judy C. Miner.

 Jan. 26, 2022

New COVID-19 Guidelines and Expectations for Jan. 31

Dear Colleagues,

Let me begin by thanking Rosafel Nogra, director of Health Services at De Anza, who provided invaluable assistance in developing the latest districtwide COVID-19 guidelines. The practices mentioned in this message are consistent with the most current guidance from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, California Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American College Health Association. 

Employee Self-Reporting Process

Going forward, we will use a new self-reporting form developed at De Anza for ALL employees to self-report whenever they: 

  • Test positive for COVID-19  
  • Experience COVID-19 symptoms 
  • Have possible COVID-19 exposure through close contact  

Employees should self-report whether they are working on campus or working remotely. 

You can find the employee self-reporting form at: https://www.deanza.edu/covid/employee-form

Even though the form is housed on the De Anza website, all Foothill and Central Services employees are expected to use it. Many thanks to De Anza’s Health Services and Communications Office teams for developing a process that is easy to follow! 

Student Reporting 

The colleges will continue to have their own separate processes for student self-reporting and for faculty and staff to report on students who have symptoms, test positive or who were exposed through close contact. Information about those processes is available on the college websites. 

Testing and Quarantine Rules

Employees with COVID-19 symptoms should stay home and get tested.

The link below will take you to a De Anza webpage where you can find excellent explanations of what to do in in terms of self-isolation and testing if you:  

  • Have symptoms 
  • Test positive 
  • Were exposed  

Testing and Isolation Protocols: http://deanza.edu/covid/protocols 

Testing Availability  

The district Office of Human Resources has limited supplies of free antigen home-test kits and is working to increase supplies available to employees. Currently, HR is making the test kits available only to employees with approved medical and religious exemptions on file; those who have been exposed to COVID-19 on the job; and employees exposed off-site who need clearance to work on-site.  

Home test kits are becoming more readily available in the community, and I encourage you to explore the following offers as long as they are available:

Note: The county webpage may say, "All the COVID-19 antigen test pick-up appointments are fully booked. We apologize for the inconvenience." However, we expect that more appointments will be added, so do check back until such time as the program comes to an end.

Testing sites can be found using these resources:

The district and colleges also are working to secure on-site PCR testing through a vendor, and information about this will be shared as soon as it becomes available.

Face Mask Guidance and Availability

Consistent with guidance from the American College Health Association, the district recommends the use of N95, KN95, or ASTM-rated surgical masks for students and employees. The district currently has a supply of N95 masks on hand and is working to ensure continuing adequate supplies of N95 and KN95 masks for students and employees. Central Services employees may obtain masks from Human Resources and college employees should check their respective websites for availability.

According to the CDC, the most protective mask is one that covers both the nose and mouth and fits tightly. When N95, KN95, and surgical masks aren’t available or don’t provide an adequately tight fit, double masking as described in CDC guidance is the next best option. Ideally, masks should be replaced after four hours of wear. 

Foothill-De Anza requires properly worn face masks indoors and recommends them for outdoor gatherings on district property. 

Booster Shots

The district is considering requiring students and employees to have booster shots to be on campus as of April 6, 2022. The Chancellor’s Advisory Council (CAC) will consider this change to the administrative procedures at its Feb. 11 meeting. Whether or not we require the booster as of spring quarter, I urge everyone who is eligible to get boosted. 

Expectations as of Jan. 31 

This dashboard shows that the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in Santa Clara County is finally beginning to decline: https://covid19.sccgov.org/dashboard-cases-and-deaths 

Therefore, we look forward to classes and student services that are scheduled on-campus for the winter quarter to resume or continue on-campus as of Jan. 31. If you have questions or concerns, please speak with your supervisor.  

One thing we have learned from the past two years is that we must be constantly vigilant and ready to adapt to new circumstances. I wish this message could be the last word on all things COVID, but some epidemiologists assert that COVID has moved from pandemic to endemic and will be with us for some time to come.

Many, many thanks for your patience amid uncertainty, your kindness amid fatigue, and your unfailing ingenuity amid a volatile landscape.

With appreciation and gratitude,
Judy

Back to Top