Winter Holiday Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Reported

January 7, 2021

El Camino College received confirmed reports throughout the Winter Holiday (December 20, 2021 through January 2, 2022) of individuals who tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus. To protect patient privacy, these individuals' personal details are considered confidential and will not be disclosed.  

An individual tested positive on 12/21/2021, and was last on campus on 12/18/2021. The affected individual checked in at the Warrior Plaza kiosk and visited the new gym's women's locker room, restroom, and also utilized the gym floor. This individual had not identified any close contacts while on campus and observed the minimum 10-day isolation at home.

Three individuals tested positive on 12/20/2021 from tests taken on 12/20/2021 and were last on campus on 12/20/2021. Three close contact exposures while on campus have been notified, and all individuals who needed to observe the minimum 10-day isolation at home did so. The affected individuals checked in at the Construction Tech kiosk, Warrior Plaza kiosk, and the Manhattan Beach Boulevard Module (MBBM) Room 136. Facilities that were visited by these individuals include the Industry Technology Education Center (ITEC) Room 128, the Administration Building Suite 240, and an office on the upper floor of the new gym. 

An individual tested positive on 12/21/2021, and was last on campus on 12/20/2021. This individual identified one close contact while on campus, and those who needed to observe the minimum 10-day isolation at home did so. The affected individual checked in at the Lot C kiosk and went to the Center for Applied Technology (CAT) Building where the individual visited most of the work areas on each floor. The individual also visited the Facilities Yard's main office.

Five individuals tested positive on 12/23/2021, and were last on campus on 12/23/2021. These individuals have not identified any close contacts while on campus and observed the minimum 10-day isolation at home. The affected individuals checked in at MBBM 136 to test. One individual briefly visited their office in the Student Services building on the first floor at the base of the stairs near Admissions and Records.

Four individuals tested positive on 12/23/2021 and 12/27/2021, and were last on campus on 12/02/2021, 12/23/2021, and 12/27/2021. These individuals had not identified any close contacts while on campus and observed the minimum 10-day isolation at home. The affected individuals checked in at MBBM 136 to test, and the case that was last on campus on 12/02/2021 tested externally. All individuals who tested on campus were only there to do so and left immediately afterwards. No other facilities were visited, so normal cleaning and disinfection at the testing site sufficed.

Ten individuals tested positive on 12/27/2021 and 12/28/2021, and were last on campus on 12/27/2021 and 12/28/2021. The individuals had not identified any close contacts while on campus and observed the minimum 10-day isolation at home. The affected individuals checked in at MBBM 136 to test. All individuals who tested on campus were only there to do so and left immediately afterwards. No other facilities were visited, so normal cleaning and disinfection at the testing site sufficed.

Seven individuals tested positive on 12/29/2021 and 12/30/2021, and were last on campus on 12/29/2021 and 12/30/2021. These individuals have not identified any close contacts while on campus and are observing the minimum 10-day isolation at home. The affected individuals checked in at MBBM 136 to test. All individuals who tested on campus were only there to do so and left immediately afterwards. No other facilities were visited, so normal cleaning and disinfection at the testing site sufficed.

The results of the January 2 and 3, 2022 mandatory COVID-19 testing for all students and employees include ten individuals who tested positive. They are quarantining at home and no close contacts on campus were identified. All individuals who tested on campus were only there to do so and left immediately afterwards. No other facilities were visited, so normal cleaning and disinfection at the testing site sufficed.

In each of these cases (where necessary), the Facilities Division had been notified, and the aforementioned areas were disinfected and sanitized as required. It is important to know that transmission more commonly occurs via sustained face-to-face contact and through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Surface transmission is less common.

The entire El Camino College community sends these individuals sincere wishes for a quick recovery. As always, all El Camino College students and employees are asked to follow the directions given by public health and elected officials during this outbreak. This includes obeying the Health Officer's most recent orders from Los Angeles County and the State of California.

For more information on how COVID-19 is spread, infection prevention techniques, and other COVID-19 related resources, please refer to the 

El Camino College COVID-19 Task Force Website, https://www.elcamino.edu/notices/coronavirus/index.php