March 12 Update - Message from DSC President Thomas LoBasso
(03/12/2020, 2 p.m.)
Previous Daytona State College COVID-19 Messages - see www.DaytonaState.edu/COVID-19 for current information
MARCH 6, 2020 - With the flu season (influenza) still active, we are encouraging everyone to keep practicing preventative measures such as frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and staying home if you are sick. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has excellent resources related to things you can do to help prevent the spread of viruses, including influenza and COVID-19.
- Get a flu shot, and take flu antivirals if prescribed.
- If you are sick, stay home.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Carry and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Immediately dispose of used tissue.
- Monitor your symptoms. If you experience flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), please call ahead before visiting your doctor for further guidance.
The Florida Department of Health is also now available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to take your questions at (866) 779-6121 or via email at COVID-19@flhealth.gov. The World Health Organization also has resources and tips, including COVID-19 “Myth-Busters”.
Daytona State College will officially close for Spring Break on Monday, March 9 and will reopen on Monday, March 16 (classes will be held on Saturday, March 7, but not on Saturday, March 14).
If you are traveling out of the country during the break, please continue to check the CDC’s list of affected countries before returning to campus. Please check to see if any new countries are added to the restricted list during the break (currently, the restricted list includes China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea). If you have recently visited (or plan to visit) any listed country, please email Keith Kennedy, Vice President of Student Development, at Keith.Kennedy@DaytonaState.edu. In addition to contacting Mr. Kennedy, you will also be required to self-isolate and not come to campus for 14 days after returning from these countries.
DSC Campus Safety
(03/06/2020, 9:30 a.m.)
MARCH 4, 2020 -- Out of an abundance of caution and following guidance from Governor Ron DeSantis and State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees, Daytona State College is requiring, effective March 3, 2020, that all employees and students who return from traveling to China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea, self-isolate and not come to campus for 14 days after their return. Guidance from state officials also recommends canceling college-related travel plans to the aforementioned countries, however, there are no planned DSC college-sponsored international trips or study abroad programs to those areas within the immediate future. The College will continue to evaluate the list of affected countries and areas on a daily basis, and adjust accordingly based on information from state and national officials.
With Spring Break less than a week away, DSC is encouraging travelers to be mindful of COVID-19’s potential impact on their plans. If you plan on traveling to any of the countries listed above in the next few weeks, please email Keith Kennedy, Vice President of Student Development, at Keith.Kennedy@DaytonaState.edu for further instructions. If you are planning to visit other locations both domestic and international not listed above, please review the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s information about traveling. Destinations with large, confined groups of people pose a higher risk of transmission, and travelers should thoroughly research their destination.
Please continue to stay informed about COVID-19 through the CDC and Florida Department of Health websites, and Daytona State College updates through Campus Safety’s Timely Warnings webpage. And as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions and good hygiene practices that can help limit the spread of the virus.
DSC Campus Safety
(03/04/2020, 7:00 a.m.)
FEB. 28, 2020 -- Daytona State College is continuing to monitor the current outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19. So far, no coronavirus cases have been reported in Florida. However, College officials have procedures in place to respond to student, faculty and staff needs should the situation change.
The Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are monitoring the situation and are working to ensure that the most up-to-date guidance is quickly and accurately disseminated to local partners, including DSC.
The CDC website is a good source of information for best practices for preventing or containing the spread of COVID-19 as well as the flu. Some of those steps include:
- Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at 60% alcohol. (It is especially important to clean your hands after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.)
- Avoiding close contact with those who are sick.
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Staying at home when you are sick.
Finally, as we approach spring break, please be aware if you are traveling and take precautions as necessary. The College will continue to communicate with you regarding this matter as needed, and you can find more information from the CDC resources and the World Health Organization.
DSC Campus Safety
(02/28/2020, 8:00 a.m.)
DSC Social Media
In the event a timely warning is appropriate, it will be issued on this page and may be disseminated by various other means, including Daytona State College email, official Daytona State College social media, other areas of the website, and/or postings on campus.
