January 28, 2020 | College Communications
Distributed via email January 28, 2020
Recently there has been significant news coverage regarding the coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which is a virus that was first diagnosed in China and has since spread to the United States, including one confirmed case in Chicago and five nation-wide. The College is monitoring the situation closely and is taking precautions to detect and treat any potential cases of the virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confirmed cases of the coronavirus have experienced mild to severe respiratory illness symptoms consisting of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC reports that the symptoms have appeared between 2 to 14 days after exposure to an infected person.
While there has been a case recently reported in Chicago, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has reassured the public that the risk of the virus remains low. However, the Dyson Wellness Center would like campus community members to take precautions to protect themselves and others within the community.
The CDC suggest the following ways to protect yourself:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick (i.e., within 6 feet).
If you experience symptoms such as a fever, cough, and shortness of breath, or if you have been to Wuhan, China within the last 2 weeks or feel you may be at risk for the coronavirus, please call the Dyson Wellness Center immediately at (630) 637-5550 or contact your primary healthcare provider for further recommendations.
For further information about the virus, please refer to the Illinois Department of Public Health website http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus/faq) and the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html).
For campus community members who are planning international travel, please visit https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/china#travel-notices for up-to-date notices related to this virus.
The Dyson Wellness Center will continue to work with state and local departments of public health to ensure that the College is prepared to respond and will notify the campus of any potential increased risk to the community.
