Public Health

• No one should come to school or work sick — ever. Even a negative test is not a guarantee they do not have COVID-19. Some people are not testing positive at the beginning of their illness or immediately after exposure. It can take up to five or six days to have a positive test. Please review the CDCs list of COVID-19 symptoms.   
• If you test positive and have been on campus within five days of a positive test, please work with your instructor/supervisor to notify close contacts and request that they monitor symptoms per CDC guidelines. Your instructor/supervisor will also connect WVC's Public Health Coordinator Dr. Kristen Hosey (khosey@wvc.edu) for contact tracing.   
• If someone in your household tests positive, please work remotely for five days, or if that is not possible or you have recently had COVID-19, chat with your instructor/supervisor or WVC's Public Health Coordinator Dr. Kristen Hosey (khosey@wvc.edu) about options. Get tested, if available, on day five.

It's important to remember the protocols for contact tracing, quarantine and isolation. See the following guidelines provided by WVC’s Public Health Coordinator.  

Positive cases should be immediately reported to:  

1. Your instructor or supervisor  
2. WVC Public Health Coordinator Dr. Kristen Hosey (khosey@wvc.edu)  
3. Close contacts  

Communication and documentation are important moving forward. The sooner we can quarantine possible cases, the less likely we are to see COVID clusters on campus.  

• If there are 3 or more cases within a class or work area a temporary move to online for 5+ days will be recommended to help mitigate spread.  
• A contact tracing form for a suspected exposure on campus should be submitted to the health district as soon as possible. The form will be provided by your instructor, supervisor or WVC's Public Health Coordinator Dr. Kristen Hosey (khosey@wvc.edu).

Isolation and quarantine are strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  The recommendations for isolation, quarantine and testing will vary based on vaccination status.

WVC defers to CDC and local health district guidance. 

Read CDC isolation and quarantine guidelines here

As of March 12, 2022, masks are optional on WVC campuses regardless of vaccination status. Three feet of social distance is no longer required, per the Washington Department of Health and CDC.

No, as a student you do not have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend Wenatchee Valley College. As of summer quarter 2022, vaccinations (including medical or religious exemptions) are no longer required for students unless they are in one of the restricted groups mentioned below. 

The vaccination requirement remains in effect for the following groups: 

• Employees: represented classified employees as determined by WVC and Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA) due to a contract agreement (2023-25 WPEA contract) reached between the union and the State Labor Relations Section (LRO) of the Office of Financial Management.
• Student employees: as of summer quarter 2022, vaccines are no longer required, per the governor’s office.
• Student athletes: not required at this time by the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC).
• Residence Hall: per WVC policies and procedures.
• Specific academic programs: such as allied health programs and others as required by program accreditors, community partners, etc. 

All employees, including student employees, have been contacted by Human Resources with instructions for completing the vaccination verification process.

Yes. WVC has a COVID-19 vaccination policy. View 000.280 COVID-19 vaccinate campus policy.

To find regional testing locations or report a positive at-home test, contact your local health district:

Chelan-Douglas Health District 

Okanogan Public Health District

The CDC recommends vaccinations and boosters to all eligible adults. 

The WA Vaccine Locator can help you find a vaccine location and book an appointment by your zip code.

The Washington Department of Health offers information on vaccine safety and efficacy, how and where to get a vaccine and additional FAQs.

The Washington State Department of Health has a regularly updated COVID-19 data dashboard where you can find local case rates. 

You can also use the CDC website to view COVID-19 cases by county: Know Your COVID-19 Community Level. 

Wenatchee Valley College was notified on Wednesday that two students who had recently been on campus tested positive for COVID-19. Today (Friday), an additional 7 students tested positive for COVID-19. The areas affected include the residence hall and athletics. Students and employees who may have been exposed are currently being notified.

Thank you for reaching out to report cases and following the protocol outlined in the email from the first day of winter quarter (Jan. 3, 2023). Because of your communication, we have been able to act quickly.

We are taking the following safety measures to minimize further exposure in the residence hall:

• Masking required.
• Guest policy suspended.
• No congregating in groups.
• No movement between individual floors.
• All residence hall members are beginning COVID-19 testing.

Additional safety measures include the following:

• For positive cases, WVC is providing separate lodging for isolation, if needed. Meal service will also be provided, if needed.
• WVC is in communication and working with Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD).

At this time, there is no change in athletic game schedules.

If you need to report a case, please see your email (Jan. 3, 2023: "COVID-19 (and Cold & Flu) Reminders") for more information and a reporting form. Additional public health information can be found at wvc.edu/PublicHealth.

Thank you again for your diligence in taking precautions during this season of respiratory illness. We will continue to update campus as we know more.

Kristen N. Hosey, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC
Nursing, Wenatchee Valley College
WVC Public Health Coordinator

Wenatchee Valley College was notified of an additional COVID-19 case on Friday, bringing the total to 10. No new cases were identified over the weekend. All positive cases are currently isolating. 

Testing available 1:30 – 3 p.m. today 

Chelan Douglas Health District (CDHD) confirmed they will be on campus today from 1:30-3 p.m. in Smith Gym for additional testing of student athletes and members of the residence hall. 

CDHD will bring a limited supply of additional tests. If you believe you may have been exposed and are not a member of athletics or the residence hall, please come to Smith Gym between 1:30-3 p.m. today. When you arrive, let a staff member know that you are there to be tested. As the supply is limited, WVC’s public health coordinator Dr. Kristen Hosey will administer the tests. 

Testing kit resources 

Members of the public can still request home test kits from state and federal sources. 

• State of Washington: https://sayyescovidhometest.org/ 
• Federal: https://www.covid.gov/tests 

Safety measures 

The following safety measures remain in place for the residence hall: 

• Masking required. 
• Guest policy suspended. 
• No congregating in groups. 
• No movement between individual floors. 
• All residence hall members testing regularly. 

Additional safety measures: 

• For positive cases, WVC provides separate lodging for isolation, if needed. Meal service is also provided, if needed. 
• WVC remains in communication and is working with CDHD.  
• As a current practice, when one member of an athletic team tests positive, the entire team is tested. This has worked well to mitigate spread and catch asymptomatic cases. This practice will continue. The residence hall is following a similar practice for positive cases. 
• The residence hall is following a test-to-return practice. Returning students will be required to wear a mask on days 6-10 outside of their rooms. During the 6-10 days, returning students are not placed in a room with any other student that has not tested positive. 

If you need to report a case, please see the email below for more information. Additional public health information can be found at wvc.edu/PublicHealth. 

Thank you again for your diligence in taking precautions during this season of respiratory illness. We will continue to update campus as we know more. 

Chelan Douglas Health District (CDHD) notified Wenatchee Valley College of three additional COVID-19 cases after Monday’s testing in Smith Gym, bringing the total to 13. 

Testing available until 1 p.m. today (Tuesday) 

Columbia Valley Community Health (CVCH), WVC’s on-campus health clinic, will provide rapid testing this morning until 1 p.m. today. Employees or students concerned about a possible exposure may check in at the health clinic office for rapid testing. 

Testing kit resources 

Members of the public can still request home test kits from state and federal sources. 

• State of Washington: https://sayyescovidhometest.org/ 
• Federal: https://www.covid.gov/tests 

Safety measures 

NEW safety measures include: 

• Baseball team practices and activities are limited for the remainder of the week. 
• WVC is in communication with both the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) and specific teams about this week’s games. 
• The women’s basketball game on Wednesday is canceled. 

The following safety measures remain in place for the residence hall: 

• Masking required. 
• Guest policy suspended. 
• No congregating in groups. 
• No movement between individual floors. 
• All residence hall members testing regularly. 

Other safety measures in place: 

• For positive cases, WVC provides separate lodging for isolation, if needed. Meal service is also provided, if needed. 
• WVC remains in communication and is working with CDHD.  
• As a current practice, when one member of an athletic team tests positive, the entire team is tested. This has worked well to mitigate spread and catch asymptomatic cases. This practice will continue. The residence hall is following a similar practice for positive cases. 
• As recommended by CDHD, the residence hall is following a test-to-return practice. Returning students will be required to wear a mask on days 6-10 outside of their rooms. During the 6-10 days, returning students are not placed in a room with any other student that has not tested positive. 

If you need to report a case, please see the email below for more information. Additional public health information can be found at wvc.edu/PublicHealth. 

Thank you again for your diligence in taking precautions during this season of respiratory illness. We will continue to update campus as we know more. 

Another testing opportunity will be available on Wednesday. See below for details.  

Testing available for all on Wednesday 

Chelan Douglas Health District (CDHD) confirmed they will be on campus Wednesday from noon-3 p.m. in Smith Gym. In addition to student athletes and members of the residence hall, this testing opportunity is open for all WVC employees or students. 

Safety measures 

NEW safety measures include: 

• The men’s basketball game scheduled for Wednesday is also canceled. Both men's and women's games will be rescheduled for a later date. 

We will continue to update campus and share information as we know more. 

The COVID-19 case counts are holding steady. No new cases were identified after the Chelan Douglas Health District’s (CDHD) testing event in Smith Gym on Wednesday.

Next steps

Next Monday and Tuesday, Columbia Valley Community Health (CVCH), WVC’s on-campus health clinic, will provide rapid testing during their normal business hours, Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Testing kit resources

As a reminder, members of the public can still request home test kits from state and federal sources.

• State of Washington: https://sayyescovidhometest.org/
• Federal: https://www.covid.gov/tests

Safety measures

NEW safety measures:

• Safety measures for the residence hall will remain in place through the weekend.
• At this time, the men’s and women’s basketball teams plan to resume games on Saturday.

Residence hall safety measures:

• Masking required.
• Guest policy suspended.
• No congregating in groups.
• No movement between individual floors.
• All residence hall members testing regularly.

Additional safety measures:

• For positive cases, WVC provides separate lodging for isolation, if needed. Meal service is also provided, if needed.
• WVC remains in communication and is working with CDHD.
• As a current practice, when one member of an athletic team tests positive, the entire team is tested. This has worked well to mitigate spread and catch asymptomatic cases. This practice will continue. The residence hall is following a similar practice for positive cases.
• The residence hall is following a test-to-return practice. Returning students will be required to wear a mask on days 6-10 outside of their rooms. During the 6-10 days, returning students are not placed in a room with any other student that has not tested positive.
• Both the men’s and women’s basketball games scheduled for Wednesday were canceled. They will be rescheduled for a later date. 

Public health information can be found at wvc.edu/PublicHealth.

Thank you again for your diligence in taking precautions during this season of respiratory illness. We will continue to update campus as we know more.

• Masking and testing required on affected residence hall floors. 
• Restricting movement between individual floors.  
• Suspending the guest/visitor policy. 
• Restricting congregation of students in groups. 
• Optional testing is being provided for other residence hall staff and students. 

• For positive cases, WVC provides separate lodging for isolation, if needed. Meal service will also be provided, if needed. 
• WVC remains in communication with Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD).