Message from the ACC President
February 3, 2023
Dear College Community,
Dr. Algie Gatewood
Let’s look at where we stand on the COVID-19 situation this first week of February.
North Carolina has recorded 3,425,789 COVID-19 cases from March 7, 2020 to February 1, 2023.
COVID-19 Variants Detected in NC
North Carolina (since last week)
| Omicron BA.2 | 2 cases |
| BA.2.75 | 44 cases |
| BA.4.6 | 2 cases |
| BA.5 | 58 cases |
| BF.7 | 16 cases |
| BA.5.2.6 | 12 cases |
| BQ.1 | 94 cases |
| BQ.1.1 | 341 cases |
| XBB | 30 cases |
| XBB1.5 | 194 cases |
| OTHER | 7 cases |
Alamance County – The County has reported 559 total deaths since the pandemic began, 319 positive cases over the last seven days, with 62 hospitalized over the same period. The County has reported a 14% positivity over the past seven days. The community level has returned to “Medium” after registering at “High” in mid-January.
North Carolina statistics for the Mpox virus are addressed in the second half of this update message.
ACC Campus – Since the beginning of February earlier this week, our campus has reported 0 new cases. The ABSS Early College also reports 0 cases.
To update our monthly numbers, here is a summary of positive COVID cases on our campus thus far in 2023:
- January: 30
- February: 0
A Reminder of ACC Campus COVID Protocols:
Masking on campus continues to be optional, but you are encouraged to mask up, especially if you are around a large group of people. We continue to maintain five sanitation stations around our campus with hand sanitizers and free masks.
Temperature kiosk checkers are located at main entrances of all buildings with simple instructions. Self-administered home tests are free at the following locations on campus: Room A01, main building (Health Educator’s office); Information Desk, main entrance; Dillingham Center, front desk.
Social distance as much as possible, here on campus and in the community. This is a key factor in keeping yourself safe and healthy during this time.
ACC Safe App – perform your daily screening from convenience of your cell phone. If you do not have this app, go to the Public Safety page on our website where you can download it.
Symptoms of COVID-19
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms may appear two to fourteen days after exposure to the virus and include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19
Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others. You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
If You Test Positive for COVID-19
• Complete ACC’s Self-Reporting Form and notify your instructors or supervisor.
• Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.
• Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
• Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
• It is important to also understand when to end isolation and when to stop wearing a mask.
Thanks,
Algie …
—