Message from Campus Health Regarding Coronavirus Outbreak

Jan. 26, 2020

Memorandum

To: Arizona Students, Staff and Faculty

From: Liesl Folks, Ph.D., MBA, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Date: January 26, 2020

Subject: Message from Campus Health Regarding Coronavirus Outbreak

Colleagues and Students,

University of Arizona campus health experts have been monitoring the new Coronavirus epidemic in China and following the reports of confirmed cases in the United States. As of Sunday, five cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in the U.S. by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One of those cases was in Phoenix, Arizona, involving a member of the Arizona State University community. According to their press release, the person has been isolated and is not severely ill.

All five of the current US cases were in people who had recently traveled to Wuhan, China.

Please read the following information. University officials will continue to monitor the situation closely and regular updates will be available on the Campus Health Coronavirus page, where you can also find contact information for Campus Health. Please reach out if you have questions or concerns.

The Campus Health Coronavirus page link is: https://health.arizona.edu/healthalerts.

Message from UArizona Campus Health Regarding Coronavirus Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). This new strain, previously not identified in humans, has so far caused 1,975 confirmed infections and 56 confirmed deaths around the world.

  • SYMPTONS: Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, according to WHO. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.  If you feel sick, we ask you to seek medical treatment immediately.
  • PREVENTION: Protect yourself and others by regularly washing your hands (20 seconds with soap and water) or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and by covering your mouth and nose with your sleeve or a tissue when coughing and sneezing. 

In addition, avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing and avoid traveling when sick.

Individuals who have been traveling to affected areas and feel sick should seek immediate medical care, but before arrival at the doctor’s office or emergency department, they should call ahead and describe their recent travel and symptoms.

Those who have traveled recently to Wuhan, China can contact Pima County Health, which offers information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by telephone at (520) 724-7797.

  • INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: Currently, there are three employees in China on University business and no students. Any University travel planned for China must be approved by the University.
  • ADDITIONAL STEPS TO PREVENT ILLNESS
    • Everyone 6 months and older is encouraged to get a flu shot.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • Stay home when you are sick.
    • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • OTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES: