COVID-19 Hotline Reporting

COVID-19 Hotline Update

Kirkwood’s COVID-19 Hotline continues to adapt to the changing dynamics of COVID response for the college. The following are updates to Kirkwood’s COVID-19 Hotline protocols and processes:

COVID-19 Response Update for Individuals Returning from Abroad

Until recently, the protocol for students and employees returning from abroad was to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival without COVID-19 symptoms. Current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), and Linn County Public Health (LCPH) no longer calls for a 14-day self-isolation unless the student or employee has:

• Knowingly come into contact with a COVID-19 positive person OR
• Has begun to experience symptoms

For these reasons, we will now only require that those returning from abroad make contact with the hotline to answer a short series of questions. Depending on their answers, the student or employee may or may not be cleared to return to campus activities. Please note: This change will be reflected in the COVID-19 response guide online and not in the hardcopy guides in classrooms.

IDPH Eased 14-Day Quarantine Guidelines

The IDPH has announced new guidance for businesses and schools stating that a 14-day quarantine was no longer recommended for individuals who had been in close contact with a person with COVID-19 as long as both people were properly wearing face masks during their contact. This new guidance will have no effect on Kirkwood's current COVID-19 protocols. Hotline case managers will continue to inquire about face coverings, social distancing, and length of time with a COVID-positive person. All close contacts not consistently and correctly wearing face covering will still be required to complete a 14-day quarantine away from Kirkwood and are encouraged to test 48 hours after exposure.

Protecting Student Information

The hotline team is working hard to protect the privacy of information shared with each case manager. If a person is quarantined, they will receive multiple communications over the course of their case.

At the end of a student quarantine, the individual will receive a final phone call from a case manager to confirm they are no longer experiencing symptoms. If symptoms have ended, a Return to Class letter will be issued. This information is routinely only provided to the individual. Case managers will encourage students to share their return letters with faculty and supervisors. If a student fails to provide Return to Class documentation to an instructor or supervisor, they may be turned away until proper documentation is provided. All letters contain case manager information should faculty or staff need to contact the hotline regarding that student.

Asymptomatic Testing

Kirkwood can now coordinate asymptomatic COVID-19 testing through our MercyCare partnership. This type of testing will be coordinated by the hotline committee for the purpose of determining exposures of students or employees. Logistics are still being developed and more information will be posted to the COVID-19 reporting page soon.

Committee Members

Many Kirkwood personnel are involved in various roles with the COVID-19 Hotline. A complete list of employees and their responsibilities is as follows: