Emergency Information

COVID-19 Advisory

On Sept. 3 Governor Pritzker reissued a state-wide mandate that applies to all institutions of higher education. The mandate requires that:

Masks must be worn in all indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status. This is not a change from Sandburg’s current practice.
Employees and students in higher education must be vaccinated (at minimum, the first of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine), by September 19.
If the employee or student chooses not to be vaccinated, they must submit to weekly SHIELD testing administered by the College.

Carl Sandburg College has selected a health and safety software called CLEARED4. It is a HIPAA, FERPA and GDPR compliant platform. The software will help keep our campuses as safe as possible, while also complying with current official health guidelines and policies. We will use the Cleared4 platform for uploading vaccination cards, weekly test submissions, and our health screening.

Carl Sandburg College employees will begin to use the Cleared4 platform on September 20.
Students will begin to use the Cleared4 platform on September 27.
If an employee or student is not regularly (defined as for more than 15 minutes at least once a week) at one of the Carl Sandburg College campuses, they do not need to register for the Cleared4 platform. If you received the invitation to Cleared4 in error, please email COVID-19@sandburg.edu.

Starting Monday, Sept. 20, SHIELD testing will be available to the Carl Sandburg College community from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Thursday in John Lewis Gymnasium on the Main Campus. Testing hours in the evening will also be provided from 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays in the Crist Center.

For those at the Carthage Branch Campus, rapid antigen tests will be available. Contact 217.357.3129 to arrange a test.

The College will continue to be fully open under the executive order. We encourage the campus community to continue distancing and use proper hand hygiene. Enhanced campus cleaning will be maintained according to current guidance.

Communication to students and employees can be expected on a weekly basis via their college-based email. Please contact the COVID-19 response team if you have any COVID-19 related questions at COVID-19@sandburg.edu or call 309.341.5221.

PREVENTION

The CDC recommends the following preventative actions:

Wear a mask
Make sure you physically distancing from others
Get vaccinated
Avoid crowds or poorly ventilated spaces
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Monitor your health
Stay home when you are sick.

RESOURCES

The CDC has valuable information on the following:

Covid-19 Cases
	Current week: September 17-23	Cumulative: Since July 1, 2020
Student	5	41
Employees	0	11
Total	5	52
Table updated on September 23, 2021

*Confirmed case count only reflects those who have been on campus. Enrolled students studying fully online and who have not visited campus will not be counted in this table. Confirmed COVID-19 cases are captured in consultation with the local health department(s) and/or self-disclosure via established college protocol.