I hope you had an enjoyable and relaxing break and that you are as eager to return for the spring semester as we are to have you back on campus!

We are providing you with updated information and guidelines for the spring semester regarding the ongoing pandemic. 

If you have any questions or need help registering for your classes, please try our new virtual help option. Information about this feature is listed under the event calendar on our website or on the WVNCC Go App.

Northern's COVID Task Force met recently to re-assess the status of the virus, to review the college’s COVID protocols, and to determine if any further action is warranted, given the emergence of the omicron variant. We have been in communication with top state and local health officials to ensure we are doing everything we can to provide a safe and engaging learning environment.
Omicron Variant 
Omicron is different from previous strains of COVID in several ways:
  • The omicron variant is more transmissible…it spreads faster and infects more hosts because it is more effectively jumping from host to host. The 15-minute window no longer applies.
  • It appears that omicron can penetrate the vaccines (i.e., breakthrough cases) causing COVID infections in both vaccinated and unvaccinated hosts. However, the disease/symptoms in vaccinated hosts are generally much less severe, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and deaths.
  • Local hospitals are already near capacity with COVID patients. Hospitals report that more than 80-90 percent of hospitalized COVID patients are unvaccinated. Individuals who are unvaccinated remain at a much higher risk to COVID-omicron.
  • It is imperative that we continue to do our part to protect ourselves and each other as we navigate this latest wave of COVID-19 infections. Therefore, Northern has updated our preventative measures including, for example, more frequent testing for everyone on campus.

Weekly Testing
Due to the Omicron variant and the current rise in COVID infections locally, Northern is taking the following precautions for Spring 2022:
  • All students and employees must be tested and confirmed "negative" -- regardless of vaccination status -- prior to coming on campus. If you will not be on campus, this does not apply to you.
  • If your initial rapid test is positive, a follow-up PCR test should be administered. If that too is positive, then you will need to isolate for five (5) days, per the new CDC quarantine protocol. You can return to campus once your quarantine is complete AND you are symptom-free for 24 hours.
  • At this time, weekly testing of all students and employees is expected to continue for several weeks, until local infections decline significantly. Obviously, we are monitoring the situation and will pass along additional information when it becomes available.
  • Northern will offer free COVID testing for students on all three Northern campuses starting next week. Roxby Labs will be on our Wheeling campus to provide tests (please enter through the B&O rear entrance) on Thursday, 1/13, and Friday, 1/14, noon-2pm, for STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES.
  • A full schedule of on-campus testing on all three campuses will be available soon.

Additional Testing Locations
In addition, there are several places in the community offering free rapid or PCR tests like OVMC/Roxby in Wheeling. Roxby Labs has also partnered with Moundsville Pharmacy and their other locations in Sistersville, Pine Grove, and New Martinsville to offer tests. MedExpress, many local pharmacies, and local health departments also offer tests.

Here are just a few local testing options:

WHEELING
The Ohio County Health Department offers free testing, Mon-Fri, 9 am-3pm, at the OVMC site in Wheeling. You just drive up to the upper parking deck and they come out to get your information and provide the test. The results are generally available online in 24 hours.

WEIRTON
CHANGE, Inc., in downtown Weirton, is offering free COVID tests Monday-Friday from 8-3 p.m. You just drive up and they come out to get your information and provide the test. The results are available in 24 hours.

NEW MARTINSVILLE
The Wetzel-Tyler Health Department provides free COVID tests every Thursday, 2-4 pm, with no appointment needed. Just pull into the parking lot to one of the designated cones and call the number listed there. Stay in your car and someone will come to you. It is located at 425 South Fourth Avenue, Paden City, 304-337-2001, (go south past Dollar General and you will pass the old school building on the right, turn at the next street to go to the back parking lot). You can follow them on Facebook (Wetzel-Tyler Health Department). If you need the vaccine or booster, you can walk-in on their designated days/times (call or follow them on Facebook to find out when).

Please remember, if you are not tested on campus your test must be monitored in person or monitored via telehealth virtually. If you test positive, please follow up with a PCR test. The PCR test takes a day or two to get results, but it is more reliable than rapid tests. Most drug stores and health departments offer these tests.
If you are not tested on campus, please submit your test result, positive or negative, to the new D2L Learning Management System. CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS.

Vaccines and Boosters
Again, it is imperative that we continue to do our part to protect ourselves and each other as we navigate this latest wave of COVID-19 infections. Please, please, please…we urge you to get vaccinated and get your booster shot as soon as you become eligible. The added protection of the booster is critical now, so if you have been waiting for a reason, there is no time like the present.
Additional Safety Measures
  1. We are locking all exterior doors so that we can monitor visitors and ensure that they are following our protocols, before entering. When your classes start on campus, you will be able to use your Student I.D. for access to buildings. However, if you are coming to campus prior to the start of classes, you will follow instructions posted on the door to gain access. You may be instructed to call or use a video-monitored doorbell to gain access.
  2. Some lecture-only classes may be remote for the first couple of weeks of the semester. Lab courses and applied technology courses will remain on campus at the start of the semester. If your class will be conducted remotely, your instructor will be in touch with you next week.
  3. Consider upgrading your face mask to a more effective N-95, KN-95, or other similar standards. Cloth masks, gators, etc., do not offer the same level of protection from airborne particulates.
  4. Remain mindful of the six-foot social distance standard.
  5. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer more frequently.
Your safety will always be Northern’s top priority. Thank you again for choosing Northern and for all you are doing to ensure a safe return to our spring 2022 semester!

Please stay well,
Dr. Daniel Mosser
WVNCC President