Campus COVID-19 News

Walla Walla Community College quickly responds to report of COVID-19 positive case

Walla Walla Community College learned Monday that a person who had been on the Walla Walla campus to participate in a cosmetology program later tested positive for COVID-19.

The College immediately contacted Walla Walla County public health officials, who initiated contact tracing to identify and test others who may have been exposed.

Following public health recommendations and for the safety of our community, 17 students and 2 employees within the cosmetology program on the Walla Walla campus will self-quarantine for 14 days.

The campus salon is closed for a deep cleaning.

“We have spent the last five months planning for a situation such as this and have put a number of health and safety protocols in place to protect our students, employees and clients we serve,” said Jerry Anhorn, Dean of WWCC Workforce Program, including Cosmetology.

All WWCC students, employees and visitors are required to complete a daily screening log prior to coming to campus or upon their arrival. Those logs will be used for contact tracing.

The cosmetology program has also adopted safety protocols issued by state higher education and cosmetology licensing officials.

Student instruction will continue uninterrupted and according to the Warrior Flex plan implemented by the College for this academic year. Cosmetology students will complete their coursework online and will have the opportunity to make-up the practicum hours they need for licensing later in the quarter.