COVID-19 Exposure Protocol

SUNY Orange has established the following protocol for dealing with potential on-campus or off-campus exposure to confirmed COVID-19 cases. Please note that guidance and circumstances may change, requiring adjustments to this protocol.

as of Jan. 7, 2021

Protocols in the Event an Employee Reports Illness or Expsoure

Employees presenting COVID-19 symptoms will be instructed not to report to the workplace. Employees will be directed to report illness to their supervisor and Human Resources department. Employees will be advised to immediately seek medical guidance. Returning to the worksite will only be possible once the symptoms have significantly improved and the employee has been fever-free for 72 consecutive hours without any anti-fever medications.
SUNY Orange will implement a non-punitive leave policy for those impacted by COVD-19.
Employees presenting COVID-19 symptoms and having been tested for COVID-19, will be advised not to report to work. Return to on-site work will be possible once symptoms have significantly improved and there is no fever for 72 consecutive hours without any anti-fever medications. Human Resources will advise employees who have been in close proximity with an individual that exhibits symptoms to work remotely until test results are confirmed.
Employees who test positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate in accordance with Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) guidelines or until their physician clears them to return to the workplace). Human Resources will immediately inform the supervisor that the employee will not be reporting to work. However, supervisors should not share this information with others.
Employees that are quarantined by the Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) will not be permitted to report to work but will be allowed to work remotely if their work allows it. If quarantine is extended beyond the initial guidelines set forth by the Orange County Department of Health, the employee should contact Human Resources.
Human Resources will communicate with local health departments regarding positive COVID-19 test results or suspected cases
Human Resources will gather preliminary case investigation data, including possible contacts and provide this information to public health department
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) assistance information will be provided to all employees, and information will also be available via a link on the College’s COVID-19 webpages.
Human Resources will partner with public health officials to ensure that students and employees adhere to recommended quarantine timelines
Human Resources will ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, record-keeping and reporting obligations.

Student Protocols in Event of a Reported Illness or Expsoure

The Wellness Center team will adhere to protocols for the referral, tracing and isolation of students and staff who are exhibiting COVID-19-related symptoms or with confirmed diagnoses. Any plan should, at minimum, include:

Direct and immediate communication with the OCDOH and community regarding cases and how the College responded
The Wellness Center staff will collaborate with local health departments to resolve any issues related to students who test positive for COVID-19 and currently attend classes
The College will follow Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) protocols for communicating with students and staff who have come into close/sustained contact with confirmed case
Creating and utilizing campus public health teams to evaluate and recommend action on potential problem areas on campus, and to assess and improve the college’s capacity for testing and tracing
Faculty and support staff will work with students who become ill and/or quarantined to support the student’s resumption or continued participation in instructional activities; students may request a medical withdrawal from one or more courses if they are unable to continue participating in instructional activities
College services and offices will be accessible to ill and/r quarantined students by phone, email, and via live Zoom calls. All student services, academic support, library services, tutoring, technology support, accessibility services, wellness support, business office functions, and financial aid services will be accessible to students remotely.

In the event that a student must be quarantined, student supports will be accessible and delivered remotely. College services and offices will be accessible to quarantined students by phone, email, and via live Zoom calls. All student services, academic support, library services, tutoring, technology support, accessibility services, wellness support, business office functions, and financial aid services will be accessible remotely to students under quarantine.

SUNY Orange has designated personnel to be the appropriate points of contact upon the identification of positive cases. These contacts are responsible for subsequent communications, and have been deemed responsible for answering questions from students and employees regarding the COVID-19 public health emergency and plans implemented by the institution.

Designees are:

Iris Martinez-Davis, AVP of Human Resources, (845) 341-4662

Susan Corbett RN, Wellness Center, (845) 341-4870

Designees will work closely with the local DOH to assist as needed and with other health care providers to monitor public health and develop monitoring strategies.

ORANGE COUNTY COVID-19 TESTING SITES