The University of Maryland is actively monitoring the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (termed “2019-nCoV”) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Very rapidly, the virus has been detected in numerous countries including the United States.
At this time, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus at the University of Maryland or in the State of Maryland. The University Health Center (UHC) is in regular communication with county and state health officials and will share additional information on this web page as it becomes available.
Dear Members of the Campus Community,
Information about the outbreak of novel coronavirus in China, its spread to the U.S., and other areas of the world is evolving rapidly. University leaders and the University Health Center are closely monitoring the situation and taking actions aimed at keeping our community safe and healthy. I know many of you, particularly those with programmatic or personal connections to China, have been deeply concerned about this situation, and I offer our empathy and support to those affected. I write to give you all an update of our actions and outcomes to date.
At this time, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus at the University of Maryland or in the State of Maryland. We will communicate with the campus immediately if this situation changes.
Yesterday, the CDC raised the level of its travel advisory to include all of China, recommending no nonessential travel to China at this time. Until further notice, the university is not authorizing travel to China, and we are suspending Education Abroad programming in China for undergraduates for spring 2020.
We are continuing the effort that started last week to perform additional cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces and restrooms throughout the campus.
Today, we are launching a new web page, umd.edu/virusinfo. This page will serve as the primary source of information about virus prevention, guidelines for absences from campus, FAQs and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health resources. It also includes current information about the university’s actions and responses to coronavirus. We will continue to add and update FAQs as the coronavirus situation evolves. We urge everyone with questions or concerns to visit the site.
Finally, it is imperative that we all do our part to reduce the danger of infection by observing best practices for preventing incidences of the flu and other illnesses within our community. I want to remind everyone that our University Health Center always strongly recommends that anyone who is ill or thinks they may be ill should stay home from class and from work and seek medical care, as necessary. This advice applies to everyone, every year, as well as to anyone who suspects exposure to coronavirus. The flu season is at its peak right now, and this alone would warrant such a directive. Indeed, anyone who has not received a flu vaccine this season should consider doing so immediately. Flu shots are available at the UHC.
Faculty are being provided guidance today on ways to accommodate students who may need to temporarily complete assignments remotely. You will also see tips for the prevention of spreading the flu, cold and other viruses posted around campus and on social media. In addition, you may notice some individuals wearing a surgical mask to protect against infection. This does not suggest illness or presence of infection. Rather, it is simply a routine preventive practice for some.
We continue to consult with coronavirus experts at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, but we are no longer testing for coronavirus infection through UMB. All testing will be coordinated through the CDC, and the local and state health departments. If you suspect that you have been exposed and are experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) report immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department or the University Health Center. If possible, call ahead to alert the facility of your symptoms and why you suspect exposure to coronavirus. When you arrive at the facility, notify personnel immediately of your symptoms and suspected exposure.
We will continue to provide updates at umd.edu/virusinfo as we receive them from health officials, and we encourage you to email healthconcerns@umd.edu if you have questions specific to coronavirus. We are committed to providing information and support in this rapidly evolving situation.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann Rankin
Senior Vice President and Provost
Dear Campus Community,
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (“2019-nCoV”) first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Reportedly, most patients have had links to a large seafood and live animal market, and there is limited person-to-person spread. The CDC is closely monitoring the situation and is working with the World Health Organization (WHO). It is important to know that based on current information, the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to the general American public is deemed to be low at this time.
Individuals visiting the UHC are screened during their appointment for recent international travel. Those who have traveled from China to the United States will be asked questions about their health and travel history. We advise you to seek medical care, and alert a healthcare provider if you have traveled to Wuhan City within the past 14 days and are experiencing fever with or without respiratory symptoms.
For more information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, click here.
As a reminder, seasonal influenza activity in the United States and in Maryland continues to be high.
The flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from getting the flu. If you are already in the area, the University Health Center still has flu vaccines available, and it’s not too late to get yours. Schedule an appointment for a flu shot at myuhc.umd.edu or call 301.314.8180.
If you have underlying health conditions or take medications that suppress your immune system:
It is especially important to get your yearly flu shot to prevent complications.
If you develop flu symptoms (fever with a cough or sore throat), please see your healthcare provider within 24-48 hours.
For more information about the seasonal flu and ways to stay healthy, please visit the CDC’s website.
In health,
The University Health Center
The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), commonly known as a coronavirus, is a virus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. While CDC considers this a serious public health concern, based on current information, the immediate health risk from a coronavirus to the general American public is considered low at this time. For additional information visit the CDC website.
Similar to the common cold and influenza, common symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC believes that symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or up to 14 days after exposure.
Coronavirus is spread from animals to humans, as well as from person-to-person. It’s unclear, however, how easily the virus spreads between people.
There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for the virus. The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the State of Maryland or within the UMD community that have been reported to us by the State or Prince George’s Health Departments.
We continue to consult with coronavirus experts at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, but we are no longer testing for coronavirus infection through UMB. All testing will be coordinated through the CDC, and the local and state health departments.
Individuals suspected of having the coronavirus infection will be transported to the hospital. Other individuals with symptoms of a viral infection should follow typical recommendations to avoid passing the infection to others: stay at home until at least 24 hours after fever breaks, wash hands often or use alcohol based hand sanitizer, cough into a tissue and discard used tissues into the trash, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth since germs can be spread this way.
The CDC recommends that travelers avoid non-essential travel to China. Until further notice, the university is not authorizing travel to China, and we are suspending Education Abroad programming in China for undergraduates for spring 2020.
Individuals who have traveled to China in the last 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, should seek medical care right away.
Also, please note the following information:
On the recommendation of our University Health Center, we remind anyone who is ill or thinks they may be ill to stay home from class and from work and seek medical care, as necessary. Faculty are being provided guidance on ways to accommodate students who may need to temporarily complete assignments remotely.
If you are in the process of coming to the University of Maryland and have been affected by travel restrictions due to the novel coronavirus please contact the ISSS staffer specified below. ISSS will work with each individual to evaluate their situation and advise accordingly.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, we encourage you to contact the UHC and make an appointment for testing to ensure your good health and that of the University community.
We encourage you to email healthconcerns@umd.edu if you have questions specific to coronavirus.
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