How are Columbus colleges reporting COVID-19 cases? What to know about data
As universities in Georgia and Alabama track thousands of COVID-19 cases among students and staff, local colleges have their own reporting methods.
Here’s what residents need to know about coronavirus data at local institutions Columbus State University, Columbus Technical College and Chattahoochee Valley Community College.
Columbus State University
Cases: 6 total active cases as of Sept. 7 (not identified as a student or employee). An active case is defined as someone currently in 10-day isolation because of a positive coronavirus test.
Total number of students: 8,267 (16% in-person only, 55% in-person and online, 29% online only).
Total number of employees: 1,385 (874 full time).
How are cases collected: Self-reported.
Reported to: The University System of Georgia doesn’t require its institutions to report their coronavirus cases to USG because that data is collected by the Georgia Department of Public Health, said USG associate vice chancellor for communications Lance Wallace. USG leaves it up to the institutions to decide whether, how and to whom they report their data.
Where to view data: CSU posts its coronavirus data on its website and emails an updated report weekly to students and employees.
Columbus Technical College
Cases: 19 students and 13 employees from June 29 through Sept. 8.
Total number of students: 3,312 (54% fully online, 46% hybrid of in-person and online).
Total number of employees: 391 (211 full time).
How are cases collected: Self-reported.
Reported to: Cases are reported to instructors, immediate supervisors or human resources department, as appropriate. The data is shared with CTC’s exposure control coordinator, who communicates with the Columbus Health Department. CTC also reports coronavirus data to the Technical College System of Georgia but doesn’t include the names of those infected.
Where to view data: CTC’s website doesn’t have its case count. “We inform any students or employees who may have been exposed of that possibility, but we are making no public announcements,” CTC president Martha Ann Todd said. She didn’t explain why.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
Cases: 3 since March, all students.
Total number of students: 1,350 (majority online, 150 hybrid of in-person and online).
Total number of employees: 210 (95 full time).
How are cases collected: Self-reported.
Reported to: Employees are required to report their positive tests and symptoms to their immediate supervisors and deans. Students are required to report their positive tests to their instructors, who must notify their dean. CVCC must report the data to the Alabama Community College System.
Where to view data: ACCS institutions should post notice on their website if an infected individual was on campus, said Rachel Bunning, the system’s communications and marketing administrator. CVCC’s website didn’t have such a notification until the L-E asked about it. Then CVCC posted its case count Sept. 10.
This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 7:00 AM.
