Recent announcements issued by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) indicate that transmission of Coronavirus has continued to spread and will likely affect the United States, however the immediate health risk to the general US public remains low. We encourage students, faculty, and staff traveling for spring break to closely monitor travel advisories through the CDC and State Department. The following travel notices are already in effect:
- Level 3 (avoid all nonessential travel): China, South Korea
- Level 2 (practice enhanced precautions): Iran, Italy, Japan
- Level 1 (practice usual precautions): Hong Kong
- Other Destinations with Risk of Community Spread: Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand
Oregon health authorities announced over the weekend of February 28-March 1 that a person who works at Forest Hills Elementary School in Lake Oswego had tested positively for the Coronavirus. One other Oregon case has been announced in Washington County.
Any UP employees with children at Forest Hills Elementary School should work from home – or use sick time and stay at home – until Thursday, March 5, per the school’s guidance. Please do the same if you’ve been in contact with anyone from the school.
As needed, employees should follow UP’s sick time policies. The sick time policy for staff is available at: www.up.edu/hr/benefits/sick-time-and-vacation.html
If you have health/medical related questions, please contact your health care practitioner. Staff with Kaiser health insurance can call the KP Nurse Hotline at 1-800-813-2000.
The University continues to closely monitor this outbreak and has taken steps to reduce the risk of community member exposure to the Coronavirus. A University-run program scheduled to travel to South Korea and Japan over spring break has been redirected elsewhere. The University has contacted faculty and students who are currently abroad and advised them on precautions they should take to minimize the risk of exposure. Currently, there are no plans to cancel spring or summer 2020 study abroad programs.
The Health and Counseling Center continues to screen all students seeking medical and counseling services for symptoms consistent with Coronavirus. Finally, multiple groups across campus will continue to monitor the outbreak and determine any additional steps the University should take to reduce the risk of community member exposure.
Additional information on this outbreak is provided below:
- The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have declared a global health emergency; and international governments are taking decisive action in response. The CDC website is being updated frequently with information about Coronavirus as more becomes known.
- Symptoms of Coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. They can surface up to 14 days after exposure.
- Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Coronavirus should contact their healthcare provider. Current UP students should contact the campus Health and Counseling Center (HCC) at x7134. After hours, students can access ProvRN or Providence Express Care Virtual to reach a healthcare provider for immediate assessment. Instructions for accessing these services are available on the HCC website using this link.
- Precautions to decrease the transmission of Coronavirus are like those for preventing the spread of other respiratory illnesses, including colds and flu. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough; wash your hands frequently; and stay home if you are ill. As noted above, the HCC is taking additional precautions with patients, including providing masks to students with symptoms of respiratory illness or fever; and screening all students seeking medical and counseling services upon check-in for risk of exposure to Coronavirus. If any students exhibit a history or symptoms consistent with Coronavirus, we will work with the Oregon Health Authority and the CDC to care for the student and UP campus.
Again, our guidance for now focuses on caution and prevention. For further information or questions, please contact any of the following resources:
- Health and Counseling Center: x7134 or hcc@up.edu.
- Campus Safety: x7161 or publicsafety@up.edu.
- ProvRN: (503) 574-9606