• MHCC Official Statement on COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

    Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) is closely monitoring developments in the outbreak of a new strain of COVID-19, and is making plans for response should the virus make its way to our campus. In the meantime, we encourage all our students, faculty, staff and community members to educate themselves with the information below and in the links, and to practice good hygiene.

    Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus (meaning the first of coronavirus of its kind in humans).

    The virus is thought to spread mainly:

    • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
    • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

    These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

    Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects
    It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

    The health and safety of MHCC's students, faculty and staff are always the top priority, so the college is encouraging everyone in our campus community to take the following everyday precautions for preventing the spread of respiratory viruses, per the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • Stay home when you are sick.
    • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

    Anyone on campus who is experiencing flu-like symptoms should call their healthcare provider. Further information on COVID-19 can be found here and MHCC's Administrative Regulation on Infectious Disease can be found here.