• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

  • Home
  • Academics
  • Athletics
  • Campus Services
  • Events
  • Human Resources
  • University Relations

Coronavirus: UP Monitoring Outbreak, Minimizing Risks

February 28, 2020

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

 

 

Filed Under: 03-02-2020, Campus Services, Health Center, Marketing & Communications Tagged With: Campus Safety, Coronavirus Outbreak, Health and Counseling Center

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • YouTube

News Categories

UpDate

Karen Eifler, Garaventa Center, was appointed to the Corporate Member Ministry Board of Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Her duties will be to provide formation in the Catholic, Agnesian charism for members of the Regents and faculty at Marian.

Laura Dyer, biology, contributed “Preparing your mid-term review” in Anatomy Now Weekly; January 20, 2021.

Simon Aihiokhai, theology, contributed “Black theology in dialogue with LGBTQ+ persons in the Black Church: walking in the shoes of James Hal Cone and Katie Geneva Cannon” in Theology & Sexuality, December 31, 2020. DOI: 10.1080/13558358.2020.1868157. He also presented “Rethinking the Sacraments as Meals for Human Flourishing: Why Black Lives Matter” to the RCIA Group at Saint Andrews Parish, NE Portland in Celebration of 2021 MLK DAY. (Virtually). January 17, 2021.

Aziz Inan, Shiley School of Engineering, was in high demand last week thanks to the 22 palindrome dates which occur this year, including Inauguration Day (1-20-21). He has been quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle, Pennlive.com, Florida News Times, USAToday, New York Daily News, and many, many more.

Don Norton, music, produced a video, “Jazz Articulation: Advice and Exercises to Sound Like a Pro” for Dansr Instructional Content, 15:58. December 16, 2020. See the video using this link.

Update Archive

About

UPbeat is a newsletter for University of Portland faculty and staff published through the marketing & communications office; submit information to Marc Covert, upbeat editor, at 8132 or upbeat@up.edu. Submission deadline is noon the Thursday prior to publication. Submissions may be edited for clarity, consistency, brevity, or style.

Copyright © 2021 · University of Portland