Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. COVID News & Announcements
  3. Coronavirus prevention and updates

Coronavirus prevention and updates

January 29, 2020

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

Additional Languages
Chinese
Spanish
Creole
 

 

About

The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and nearly 400,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. Located just outside Washington, D.C., we discover and share new knowledge every day through our renowned research enterprise and programs in academics, the arts and athletics. And we are committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation’s first “Do Good” campus.

DO GOOD 

Introducing The Nation's First Do Good Campus Transforming Idealism into Impact 

Academics

Spanning 12 schools and colleges, Maryland offers more than 300 degree-granting programs, many of them ranked among the best in the country. Our faculty includes two Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 58 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. And our students, who include the highest achievers in the state and nation, enjoy experiences unique to our location just outside the nation’s capital, including internships, research, and leadership and service opportunities.

Schools and Colleges

Research and Innovation

The University of Maryland is one of the world’s premier research institutions. With our strategic location and scores of partnerships with government and businesses, UMD conducts groundbreaking research on some of the biggest challenges facing our global community, including cybersecurity and terrorism, bioengineering, public health equity, food safety and climate change. We strive to discover new knowledge and put it to work through innovation and entrepreneurship, advancing economic development and transforming lives. 

The newly launched Innovation Gateway will guide you to the resources, programs, partners, and spaces you need to activate and scale your fearless ideas into innovations that launch new ventures, catalyze growth, and advance economic development.

Arts

At the University of Maryland, the arts, the humanities and the sciences intersect to address important societal issues and shed new light on the human experience. Our vibrant campus arts community collaborates with local and national cultural organizations such as the Phillips Collection, Kennedy Center and Folger Shakespeare Library. Student and faculty artists, designers, historians, writers and performers are exploring new media, presenting new perspectives, investigating new techniques and engaging new audiences.

Events

Athletics

Home of the Terrapins, the University of Maryland has one of the nation’s most recognizable and successful athletics programs. More than 550 student-athletes compete each year in 20 intercollegiate sports—12 for women and eight for men. Since 2005 alone, Maryland has won 19 national championships, including NCAA titles in women’s basketball, men’s soccer, men's lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, and field hockey. Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 2014, UMD has won a combined 32 regular season and tournament championships. Fear the Turtle!

Student Life

The Terp experience extends beyond classrooms, labs and studios. It encompasses residence halls and dining halls, clubs and sports, fraternities and sororities, campus events and performances, and countless off-campus destinations. Maryland touts 800-plus student organizations, dozens of prestigious living and learning communities, and countless other ways to get involved. Students here can create a unique identity and grow as individuals, even as they’re part of a close-knit and diverse community. 

On Campus

Keep Learning! Earn up to four credits in just three weeks. Courses offered on campus or anywhere online. Meet your goals with University of Maryland’s Winter Session, January 2-22, 2024. Learn more at winter.umd.edu.

Read More

News

Latest news at Maryland Today

For media releases visit UMD Right Now

Events

Explore events on the Campus Calendar

Terps are bold, smart, curious and proud. We do good, in our communities and out in the world. We are fearless. And we are always looking to expand our ranks. Interested in becoming a University of Maryland student? This is where to start.

 

Undergraduate Admissions

Graduate Admissions

Give to Maryland

Giving back is a fearless Terp tradition, and there are many ways you can not only keep it alive, but also make an instant impact. 

M Circle on the University of Maryland campus

 

Give Now

Maryland Promise Students

Support the Clark Challenge for the Maryland Promise Scholarship and double your impact through the Clark Challenge.

 

Clark Challenge for the Maryland Promise