Travel alert regarding coronavirus (COVID-19)
The following message was emailed on behalf of Student Health Service Director Cecil Price to students, faculty and staff on Feb. 26 by Wake Forest Communications and External Relations:
The new coronavirus (COVID-2019) that recently emerged in China has been detected in a number of other locations around the world. Many cases of COVID-19 have been associated with travel to or from mainland China or close contact with a travel-related case, but sustained community spread has now been reported in Italy, Japan, and South Korea. Sustained community spread means that people have been infected with the virus, but how or where they became infected is not known, and the spread is ongoing.
Illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe. Signs and symptoms of infection include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Sore throat and diarrhea have also been reported in some patients. This new coronavirus has caused severe disease and death in patients who developed pneumonia. Risk factors for severe illness are not yet clear, although older adults and those with chronic medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness.
Because of these ongoing developments, the uncertainty of how this virus may spread to other locations, as well as the uncertainty of when and how governments may respond to this virus, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to evaluate their travel plans in the immediate future – including Spring Break – especially if they plan to travel to international locations. Risks of travel could include contracting the virus, having travel restrictions imposed by local governments and health authorities, being quarantined or physically isolated from others for extended periods of time (currently 14 days), or having to withdraw from academic programs because of these restrictions.
One of the challenges associated with the coronavirus situation is that things can change very rapidly; the recommendations in place currently might change if the virus spreads and as new information is gained. Wake Forest has a coronavirus website and it will be updated as new details emerge. We encourage any student, faculty, or staff who choose to travel to stay alert to State Department travel advisories or restrictions, airline cancellations, and recommendations from the CDC.
Sincerely,
Cecil D. Price, MD
Director, Student Health Service
Categories: Guest Post, Inside WFU, University Announcement
A message from the Student Health Service
The following message was sent on behalf of Dr. Cecil Price, director of the University’s Student Health Service, on Jan. 24 to students, faculty and staff:
Wake Forest University is aware of the situation in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The university and the Student Health Service are monitoring the situation and following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS). The following actions have been taken:
- The Student Health Service is evaluating all patients who present with symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus (fever, cough, and flu-like symptoms) to determine if they have been in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, or in contact with an individual with possible 2019-nCoV within 14 days of becoming ill. Signs have also been placed at the entrance to the Student Health Service instructing students who have been in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, to place a mask on and immediately report to our staff so quick placement in an isolation room can occur.
- Students from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China have been identified and provided information about the virus. They have been instructed to notify the Student Health Service immediately if these symptoms develop.
- The Student Health Service and the University Emergency Services Manager continue to monitor the situation and will update our protocols based on the recommendations of NC DHHS and the CDC.
The CDC has notified healthcare professionals that the incubation period (the time from potential exposure to the time illness develops) is 14 days. Students returning to campus from travel abroad would have, most likely, returned no later than January 12. We, therefore, do not expect any potential cases of this virus to occur on this campus related to that travel beyond January 27.
If you have been to Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, within the last 14 days and developed the illness’ symptoms, please contact your health care provider immediately, and let them know you have been to Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath.
On campus, students may contact the Student Health Service 24/7 at 336-758-5218. Faculty and staff are advised to contact their primary care provider. While travel to Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, increases the suspicion for the 2019-nCoV infection, it is likely that the cause of symptoms is infection with the influenza virus (the flu). The campus and Triad region have begun to see an increase in incidence of the flu over the last week.
More information about 2019-nCoV can be found on the CDC website.
Wake Forest will provide an update to students, faculty and staff if necessary.
Categories: Inside WFU, University Announcement
Message from Student Health Service regarding seasonal illnesses
The following message was e-mailed to students, faculty and staff on Oct. 31 on behalf of Dr. Cecil Price, director of the Student Health Service:
Dear Wake Forest students, faculty and staff,
During the winter months, Student Health Service frequently sees patients concerned about common seasonal illnesses such as the flu, “stomach bugs” and respiratory illnesses that might affect their ability to keep up with academic commitments and social activities. One of the challenges of being a student on a college campus is exposure to illnesses among friends, classmates and hallmates. Communal living environments – as well as busy, active lifestyles – contribute to college students’ risk of contracting common contagious illnesses.
Student Health Service encourages everyone on campus to follow these recommendations to prevent common respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Hand washing and use of hand sanitizers
- Hand washing has been clearly shown to prevent a variety of diseases and is one of the most important ways to protect yourself and others from infections.
- Germs can get into the body through our eyes, nose, and mouth and make us sick. Studies have shown that hand washing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Cover your cough
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Put the used tissue in a waste basket.
- If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hand.
- Consider covering you nose and mouth with a face mask to protect others if you are actively coughing.
Avoid exposures
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces in residence hall rooms or apartments, especially when someone is ill. These surfaces include door knobs, faucets, cell phones and other electronics.
- Do not prepare or serve food to others if you are ill with an acute gastrointestinal illness.
- Follow recommendations for keeping residence hall rooms free from extremes in temperature and humidity. Keep clutter at a minimum and avoid blocking HVAC equipment, which can contribute to the formation of mold in the room.
Categories: University Announcement
Dr. Price: Tips to prevent common respiratory, gastrointestinal illnesses
This is a guest post from Dr. Cecil Price, director of the Student Health Service:
Dr. Cecil Price
During the winter months we often are concerned about illnesses such as the “flu” and “stomach bugs” that might keep us out of work or that we might possibly bring home to our families from work. One of the challenges of working on a college campus, especially for those of us who work closely with our students, is exposure to contagious illnesses. College students, because of their close living environments as well as their busy, active lifestyles, are at risk of common contagious illnesses such as influenza and gastrointestinal viruses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend several steps to prevent common respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses.
Handwashing
- Reduces the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by 31 percent
- Reduces respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16-21 percent
Steps for effective handwashing:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds (hum the “Happy Birthday song from beginning to end twice).
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
- Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Soap and water is better than hand sanitizer for gastrointestinal illnesses.
Cover your cough
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Put the used tissue in a waste basket.
- If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hand.
- Consider covering you nose and mouth with a face mask to protect others if you are actively coughing.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand rub (“hand sanitizer”)
Categories: Inside WFU
