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Release Date: 
Saturday, March 28, 2020

Update on coronavirus reports

HFC logo with COVID-19

Dear Students and Colleagues,

Michigan has been experiencing an increase in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the coronavirus. Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer, federal, and state health experts, and news organizations tell us that this increase in confirmed cases is expected, in part because more people are getting tested. This increase in the number of confirmed cases is distressing, but it should remind us to do all that we can to help reduce the spread of the virus. Each of us should follow Governor Whitmer’s March 23, 2020 Executive Order 2020-21, the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the practice of social distancing.

The College has received communications from students, family members, and employees who report that they or their family members either suspect they have COVID-19, or that they have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Due to federal privacy laws, no personal information regarding any student or employee’s physical health will be shared with the College community.

The Wayne County Public Health Department (WCHD) takes the lead on investigating confirmed cases of COVID-19. The WCHD gathers data from hospitals and physicians and acts on the information they receive from those sources. The WCHD will also determine, after their investigation, appropriate communications to other people who have been in contact with a person who is infected. The WCHD will advise the College of any necessary action to respond to any COVID-19 infections, and on March 23, 2020, the WCHD indicated to the College: “there is no further action that the College needs to take at this time.” We will immediately implement any actions that the WCHD directs in the future.

Please remember that as of March 6, 2020, on-campus classes ended when students and faculty began their spring break. Face-to-face classes have not resumed since that time. All classes, if possible, were converted to online classes. Some faculty did come to campus the week of March 16, 2020 and worked tirelessly to convert their classes to online instruction. Online classes began March 23, 2020.

A limited number of College employees are required to continue coming to campus to perform essential services. The majority of our employees are now working from home to serve our students and to maintain College operations remotely.

This information will be updated if there is news to report. Please remain vigilant about protecting your health and the health of our entire community. Our thoughts are with all those who are affected by this virus. Remember that there are support services available for you through the College and in our greater community.

We wish all of our College community good health.

Russ Kavalhuna
President
Henry Ford College