Safety Advisories
Campus advisories
Cold, flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) recommendations- posted 2-27-20
The DVC Pleasant Hill and San Ramon campuses continue to follow the recommendations by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) with signs prominently placed in restrooms throughout the campuses encouraging hand-washing hygiene and safe cough and sneeze practices. The college has also increased the availability of hand sanitizers across campus and continues to recommend frequent use among staff and students.
According to the CDC, the best way to reduce your risk of becoming infected with a flu or respiratory virus, such as COVID-19, is to practice good hygiene:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds,
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available,
- People who are sick should always cover their coughs and sneezes using a tissue or the crook of their elbow; wash your hands after using a tissue to wipe your nose or mouth,
- People who are sick should stay home from work or school until they are well,
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your unwashed hands.
In a recent press release, Contra Costa Health Services confirmed three cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in patients being treated at hospitals in the county. These patients were sent from Travis Air Force Base to local hospitals. They were not infected in Contra Costa and they do not pose an increased threat to Contra Costa residents.
The patients were among the recent U.S. evacuees from the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. They are receiving care in Contra Costa facilities that can properly isolate them to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. The patients have tested positive for COVID-19, but according to the Contra Costa Health Services, they have not shown any symptoms of the virus, such as fever and difficulty breathing.
Health officials are also investigating a new case of COVID-19 in Solano County. The college and district are continuing to monitor the situation, are in touch with local agencies, and are following all recommendations currently available. California has a strong health care system and public health infrastructure. California has prepared for the potential spread of diseases, such as H1N1, in the past and is prepared and actively responding to the potential community spread of COVID-19.
For more information regarding Coronavirus, visit CDC’s website the California Department of Public Health’s website or Contra Costa Health Services to learn more about COVID-19.
Flu Season and the Coronavirus - posted 2-3-20
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
There are no recommended precautions for the general public to take other than the everyday preventive actions that are always recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), especially during cold and flu season.
To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, CDC recommends the following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Please print and post this prevention flyer in your areas to remind students and staff how to help prevent the spread of colds, flus, and respiratory viruses.
For more information regarding Coronavirus, visit CDC’s website or the California Department of Public Health’s website.
Update from Contra Costa Health Services:
Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and its partners are working closely with state and federal health agencies to monitor this new coronavirus. It is important to note that at this time, no cases have been reported in Contra Costa County. Learn more.
What is the risk?
- Contra Costa residents are at low risk of becoming infected. Only people who recently traveled to China or have had close contact with someone who became ill with the novel coronavirus after recent travel in China could be exposed.
How can I avoid getting sick and what should I do if I have symptoms?
- Visit org/coronavirus for information on staying healthy as well as common symptoms and what to do.
What is being done in Contra Costa?
- All hospitals in the county, including Contra Costa Regional Medical Center & Health Centers, are asking patients about symptoms of coronavirus and recent travel to China. People calling 911 will also be asked about their symptoms and recent travel to China.
- Contra Costa Health Services has sent information about coronavirus to local medical providers, ambulance paramedics and schools.
- County health officials are in ongoing contact with the CDC and the California Department of Health to get the latest information.
This a rapidly evolving situation with new information emerging every day. For the latest updates, please visit our website at cchealth.org/coronavirus.
Current concerns about the Coronavirus - sent 1-28-20
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
At a news conference Tuesday, top U.S. health officials reiterated that the disease — while serious — is not currently a threat on U.S. soil.
"At this point, Americans should not worry for their own safety," said Alex Azar, health and human services secretary, at the press briefing Tuesday. Learn more.
There are no recommended precautions for the general public to take other than the everyday preventive actions that are always recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), especially during cold and flu season.
To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, CDC recommends the following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
For more information regarding Coronavirus, visit CDC’s website
DVC Air Quality Advisory - posted October 28, 11:19 a.m.
Air quality at DVC's Pleasant Hill and San Ramon campuses will continue to fluctuate as the wind conditions and the fires north of us shift. We will continue to monitor these conditions.
Members of sensitive groups may be more impacted by air quality than the general population. If you have a sensitivity to air quality, we have masks available in the Student Union Building and the Welcome Center in Pleasant Hill, and at the Admissions and Records Office in San Ramon.
We ask that only those who are especially sensitive and have a need should access these masks as we have a limited number.
Please continue to work directly with your instructors if you need specific accommodations.
Pleasant Hill Campus Graffiti investigation - Posted December 12, 8:22 p.m.
The Contra Costa Community College District Police are currently investigating a non-specific anonymous threat that was discovered in the form of graffiti on the Pleasant Hill Campus Wednesday afternoon. The graffiti was found in men's restrooms in the Humanities building and in the Library.
The college will remain open Thursday with all classes and services running as scheduled while we continue the investigation.
There will be a significant increase in police presence on the campus to ease any anxiety that our community may be feeling.
Counselors will be available this week and next to help students who are experiencing increased anxiety.
As always, please be aware of your surroundings and if you see anything suspicious or have any information to help the investigation, please contact Police Services.
The safety of our faculty, staff and students remains our top priority.
DVC Air Quality Advisory - posted November 15, 1:30 p.m.
Under the current conditions, the Air Quality Index recommends that members of sensitive
groups avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and conduct activities indoors. The college
has moved activity courses indoors and cancelled or relocated athletic events to other
venues as a result. The Children's Center has also closed until Monday because the
children are members of a "sensitive group" due to their age. The college will remain
open and continue to monitor air quality on our two campuses and update the website
to reflect any changes.
Faculty will be working with students who are members of sensitive groups and are unable to travel to school at this time. If you are a member of a sensitive group, please monitor your condition as well. It is possible that some members of our community may be more directly impacted by the fires. Please get in touch with your instructor, manager or dean if you have been impacted or have additional questions.
Past advisories:
- DVC Pleasant Hill Campus will be open Friday March 23 - posted March 22, 4:15 p.m.
- DVC Campus Closure update - press release - March 22, 8:25 a.m.
- DVC Campus Closure - March 22, 7:47 a.m.
- DVC Campuses Reopen Friday October 13 - posted October 12, 4:36 p.m.
- Contra Costa College - Donation/volunteer Inquiries - posted October 12, 10:40 a.m.
- Campus Closure - October 12 - posted October 11, 8:38 p.m.
- Air Quality Advisory - posted October 11, 2:23 p.m.
DVC Pleasant Hill Campus will be open Friday - March 22, 4:15 p.m.
Diablo Valley College will be open tomorrow, March 23, with all classes and services resuming on the Pleasant Hill Campus as scheduled. The San Ramon campus will maintain its regular schedule of Friday closure.
We made the difficult decision to close the Pleasant Hill campus today, March 22, in order to continue the investigation into the threat received yesterday. We needed the time to make a more definitive assessment of the actual level of risk to our students and staff. While the investigation will continue, we have found no additional evidence to corroborate the validity of a greater than normal risk to our community.
There will be increased police presence on the campus tomorrow to ease any anxiety that our community may be feeling. For members of our college community who may be experiencing anxiety or stress, we are offering counseling services on Friday and, on a limited basis, during spring break.
As always, if you see anything suspicious or have any information to help the investigation, please contact Police Services at 925-969-3000. The safety of our students, faculty, and staff remains our top priority.
DVC Campus Closure update - press release - March 22, 8:25 a.m.
Contra Costa Community College District
500 Court Street
Martinez, CA 94553
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Contact:
Timothy Leong, Public Information Officer
925-229-6823
tleong@4cd.edu
Diablo Valley College Campus Closed Today
As a precaution, all classes and college activities at the Diablo Valley College (DVC)-Pleasant Hill Campus have been cancelled today, March 22, 2018, due to a potentially serious threat made against the campus.
The college found graffiti threatening the use of a firearm on the DVC-Pleasant Hill Campus. The situation is under investigation and so we are unable to share any further details at this time. DVC staff and students have been notified of this decision. All classes at the Diablo Valley College-San Ramon Campus, Contra Costa College, and Los Medanos College, are continuing as scheduled.
The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority. Additional information will be placed on this webpage as it becomes available.
DVC Campus Closure - March 22, 7:47 a.m.
All classes and college activities at the DVC Pleasant Hill campus have been cancelled today, March 22. All classes at the San Ramon location will continue as scheduled. We are investigating a potentially serious threat that has been made against the DVC Pleasant Hill Campus and are closing the location as a precaution. The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority.
DVC Campuses Reopen Friday October 13 -sent October 12, 4:36 p.m.
Dear DVC Community,
Diablo Valley College, as well as the other colleges in our District, will be open on Friday, October 13. This decision has not been made lightly. The air quality was not nearly as bad today as Wednesday, and it is not forecast to worsen significantly over the next few days. But as long as the fires continue to burn, changing conditions may be what we will face for the foreseeable future.
I cannot know what tomorrow will bring, but since we primarily serve an adult population, it best to reopen and allow faculty, staff, and students to use their own judgment as to whether or not to come to campus. One of the bases for the decision is the minimum day requirements for the college calendar. This requires that we would need to add another instructional day should we decide to close on Friday.
Please know that the health and safety of our students and employees is our paramount concern. I recognize the decision to participate in classes and services tomorrow can and should be made on an individual basis. Again, to our faculty, I ask that you make considerations for students who are unable to attend classes tomorrow – especially our College Now students who will not be in attendance. Faculty are encouraged to make alternative arrangements with students as is appropriate. We have nearly 70 sections that meet this Friday, so a decision to remain open will have far less negative impact on student learning.
For faculty and staff, should you chose to refrain from coming to the college tomorrow due to health considerations or due to the direct/indirect impacts from the fires, please follow your constituencies leave process.
Sincerely,
Ted Wieden
Interim President, Diablo Valley College
321 Golf Club Road
Pleasant Hill, California 94523
Voice 925-969-2001
Fax 925-687-2527
twieden@dvc.edu
Contra Costa College - Donation/volunteer Inquiries - October 12, 10:40 a.m.
As a result of the emergency shelter that has been set up on the Contra Costa College campus, we are starting to receive inquiries about donations. Unless we get specific requests from the American Red Cross/The Salvation Army, we are referring all donations to those agencies.
Additionally, we are asking individuals interested in volunteering to register with the Red Cross (link below) rather than showing up and overwhelming shelter operations. If employee volunteers are needed on any CCCCD campuses, a member of the management team will be in touch with you.
Monetary donations:
American Red Cross – Northern California Coastal Region
The Salvation Army - San Francisco Bay Area (button to donate to fire relief at top/center of homepage)
Bay Areas Professional Sports Teams You Caring Page
Volunteers:
Trained Red Cross volunteers are currently staffing shelters and supporting residents. As the disaster continues to evolve, the Red Cross will assess how community volunteers can best support the operation. Those interested in volunteering to support Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino wildfire relief efforts, can sign up: http://tinyurl.com/RedCrossVolOctober2017.
Other Donations:
No donations of clothing, food or other items are currently being accepted for the emergency shelter at Contra Costa College or any of the colleges in our district.
Campus closure - October 12 - sent October 11, 8:38 p.m.
After extensive consultation with district leadership and due to the continuing air quality issues created from the fires in the North Bay, we have decided to close the campus for Thursday, October 12, 2017. At this point, all classes and activities will be cancelled for tomorrow only, but is subject to change.
The campus is currently open (Wednesday evening) and all scheduled classes will remain in session. In addition to the closure of Diablo Valley College (both campuses), our fellow campuses, Contra Costa College and Los Medanos College, will be closed, too.
Faculty, staff, and students are not required to report to campus tomorrow. We will continue to monitor information from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and the local media for updated information.
The website advisory will be updated and emails will be sent as information becomes available.
***
Note: A separate notification was sent to DVC managers asking them to report to work, as they will still be needed to report to BFL CCC at 8 a.m.
Air quality advisory - October 11, 2017 2:23 p.m.
Colleagues,
As the unprecedented fires in the North Bay counties continue, the effects are being felt across the entire Bay Area. We are very concerned with the impact on our air quality, but also want to take a moment to extend our sympathies to those residents (and employees and students) who have been greatly affected by these fires. Whole neighborhoods have been destroyed, and we are all saddened by the devastation these fires are continuing to bring to these people.
The college is working closely with our district leadership team to monitor air quality issues, as well as the impact on our campus activities. As of now, the college will remain open with classes in session. However, due to the air quality and recommendations from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), we are limiting outdoor activity, including our Athletic team activities.
The BAAQMD has advised the following: “In other parts of the Bay Area, residents should protect themselves from the impacts of heavy smoke. If residents see or smell smoke in their immediate area, avoid outdoor activity including exercise.” The full texts of the BAAQMD advisories are here:
- Health Advisory – Spare the Air Alert
- Smoke Advisory
- Air Quality Bay Area
- California Statewide Fire Map
- Health Effects of Poor Air Quality
I also ask that managers be sensitive to the health concerns of our college community and that faculty be sensitive to the health concerns of our students. Should you feel that the air quality is inhibiting your ability to be on campus today, please work with your supervisor on alternative plans. Because the college is not officially closed, all absences – related to air quality issues – will be excused, but will be subject to the use of your available leave balances. Unfortunately, the reduction in air quality appears to be a Bay Area wide event.
Since the situation in the North Bay is constantly changing, please monitor the local media coverage and the above resources for up to date information. As we continue communication with our District leadership, we will share any changes about the status of operations at DVC.
Thanks very much,
Ted Wieden
Interim President, Diablo Valley College
321 Golf Club Road
Pleasant Hill, California 94523
Voice 925-969-2001
Fax 925-687-2527
twieden@dvc.edu