COVID & Public Health Information

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Employee Self Reporting

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Symptom Screening Checklist

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Vaccination Policies

What You Need To Know

COVID-19

Otero College is following a "mask-friendly policy". Mask friendly means that no one is required to wear a face-covering but anyone can and should feel comfortable in doing so. Otero College does reserve the right to modify these plans based on the status of COVID transmission rates and other factors. Students and Employees can self report their COVID symptoms and status by following the links listed on the page. You can call your medical provider for a COVID-19 test or come to the the Otero County Health Department to obtain a free in-home COVID-19 test.

MONKEYPOX

The Monkeypox virus is spread mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who has Monkeypox.

Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
Wash your hands often.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.

Monkeypox symptoms:

People with monkeypox get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals or anus and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
Additional symptoms include: Fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches and backache, headache, respiratory symptomes (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

The CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who are at a higher risk of being exposed. If you have any symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider, even if you don't think you have had contact with someone who has monkeypox.

Students and faculty may also contact:

Dean of Students, Gary Addington
(719) 384-6859
gary.addington@otero.edu

For more information on Monkeypox:

Monkeypox: What to look for?

Monkeypox response updates

The CARES Act is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for Higher Education. Otero 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.