COVID Information & Resources

Campus Updates Aug. 13th: COVID Vaccine Clinics, Testing & Face Covering Requirments for Fall Semester

Over the next two weeks Otero College is asking that faculty, staff and students wear face coverings for indoor group settings only. As students from across the country and across the world make their way back to campus, we are taking extra precautions to ensure that our campus remains safe, preventing any possible transmission of COVID. Wearing face coverings and practicing appropriate social distancing measures for the next two weeks will be key to ensuring a smooth transition to the Fall semester.

After two weeks, campus administration will evaluate the situation and hopes to be able to remove the requirement. Otero continually monitors the information coming from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Colorado Governor's Office and the Otero County Health Department.

COVID Vaccine Clinics:

Monday 8/16 and Monday 8/23

Rizzuto Banquet Room

10am-3pm

COVID Community Symptom Testing:

Every Wednesday throughout the semester, beginning 8/18

Otero Gym

Noon-4pm

COVID-19 Weekly Status Update In Our Community

CDPHE currently has Otero County categorized as Blue Level (COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates)

The pandemic is not yet over, so we still must maintain a vigilant and proactive stance by abiding by Blue Level Caution guidance.

OJC is not in an Outbreak Status with any athletic teams or other campus cohorts.
According to the Colorado Public Health & Environment Department, on August 9, 2021, Otero County had 2109 positive cases of COVID-19 and which included 67 deaths; Crowley County had 2219 positive cases (97 in Crowley County Correctional Facility) and included 17 deaths. Total Crowley and Otero County COVID-19 cases: 4328
Increase of 8 positive cases from the week before.
(Cumulative summary of positive cases since March 2020)

The CARES Act is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for Higher Education. OJC was awarded funds that were required to be used only as direct grants to students to provide emergency relief aid for hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic as they look to continue their education.