CAMPUS NOTICE
February 5, 2020
| SUBJECT: | 2019 Novel Coronavirus Webinar Feb. 6/IMPORTANT UPDATE for the UC San Diego Community |
UC San Diego continues to be vigilant in monitoring the progression of
the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and is responding as additional
information becomes available. Despite the declaration by the World
Health Organization of a public health emergency of international
concern, it is important to note that there are no known confirmed cases
of 2019-nCoV in San Diego at this time.
Our leadership and health care experts are in continuous contact with
the CDC, the California Department of Public Health, and San Diego
County Public Health for updated information on the outbreak. Please
join us Thursday, Feb. 6 from 5 to 5:45 p.m. for the campus’ second
webinar featuring UC San Diego’s health experts who will share the
latest advice from these local, national and international health
agencies regarding the ongoing situation with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus
(2019-nCoV).
Francesca Torriani, M.D., UC San Diego Health's Program Director of
Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology and an Infectious
Diseases specialist, and Stacie San Miguel, M.D., Director of Medical
Services for UC San Diego Student Health Services, will share their
expertise, and recommendations on preventative measures. In addition,
they will relay UC San Diego’s plan to identify, treat and contain any
potential cases of 2019-nCoV diagnosed within the UC San Diego
community. Drs. Torriani and San Miguel will be joined by Alysson
Satterlund, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs who will be a part of
the question and answer section of the webinar to address student
queries and concerns. All faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to
participate. See details below:
• UC San Diego Novel Coronavirus Zoom Webinar
https://uchealth.zoom.us/j/353087224
• Webinar ID: 353 087 224
• To call in:
• US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 646 876 9923
• International numbers available: https://uchealth.zoom.us/u/aBr5ob91P
• For those unable to participate in the webinar, it will be archived
online on Blink at
https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/resources/public-health/coronavirus.html.
TRAVEL UPDATE:
With increasing concern about global spread of the nCoV, the U.S. State
Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory (https://bit.ly/2Op1GD4)
related to travel to and from China. Under this advisory, all
non-essential travel to China by U.S. Government personnel has been
suspended. President Napolitano has directed that the UC community
temporarily avoid all non-essential travel to China. Each UC campus and
medical center has been directed to develop a process to determine if
travel to China is essential or can be
postponed.
UC San Diego’s interim policy is consistent with this policy and can be
found at http://adminrecords.ucsd.edu/Notices/2020/2020-2-3-3.html. It
is not intended to be a travel ban since UC San Diego faculty, staff and
students may have legitimate reasons to travel to China for essential
purposes and/or personal emergencies.
Travelers should practice easy health precautions, including avoiding
close contact with people who are visibly sick, practicing excellent
hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes.
The CDC has expanded the area of travel concern to encompass mainland
China and created a framework to identify and isolate patients meeting
criteria for 2019-nCoV testing Patients Under Investigation (PUI). The
criteria are based on the highest to lowest probability of infection,
ranging from those who have been in close contact with a patient with a
laboratory confirmed diagnosis of 2019-nCoV and who are experiencing
fever or cough to those who have traveled to China within 14 days of
symptom onset and who are experiencing fever and cough or shortness of
breath.
Asymptomatic persons who have traveled to mainland China within the past
14 days should self-monitor for symptoms of acute respiratory infection
including fever and cough or other flu-like symptoms. Any person with
these symptoms and an exposure to a patient diagnosed with 2019-nCoV or
travel to China within the past 14 days should immediately contact their
primary care provider; students should contact Student Health Services
(SHS).
Students with travel history within the past 14 days and with fever or
cough should contact SHS (858-534-3300) for guidance and to determine if
they need to be seen by a provider. Students may also go to
https://mystudentchart.ucsd.edu/shs/ and login with their Student AD to
send a message to “Ask-a-Nurse”. While awaiting a medical evaluation,
students should take precautionary steps to reduce possible exposure to
others by covering your cough and sneezes, washing your hands frequently
and avoiding close contact (less than 6 feet or 2 meters) with other
people.
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is one of four military bases that have
been chosen to house up to 1,000 people who may require quarantine for
coronavirus following travel in China. About 250 individuals are
expected to arrive in the next few days and be held in federal
quarantine for 14 days. Medical personnel on the flights and on base
will screen individuals for signs or symptoms of coronavirus. Any person
developing signs or symptoms of coronavirus or with other acute medical
problems will be admitted to one of four hospitals in the region. UC San
Diego Health will be working with the San Diego Public Health Department
to support these individuals if needed.
The situation is fluid and therefore be prepared to act should there be
any changes to the protocols outlined above.
Q&A ABOUT 2019-nCoV:
Q: Is 2019-nCoV spreading in the U.S?
A: While the number of cases in the U.S. has risen, most cases continue
to be patients who contracted the virus during a visit to impacted
regions in China. The first instance of person-to-person transmission of
the virus in the U.S. was recently identified in the spouse of a recent
traveler from China who acquired the virus while in China. Still,
according to the CDC risk of acquiring the disease in the U.S. is low.
In contrast, the influenza or flu virus is very active in the U.S. right
now. According to the CDC, at least 19 million people in this country
have become sickened with the flu and 25,000 have died from
complications due to the flu.
Q: How can I protect myself?
A: The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this
virus. Everyday preventive actions to reduce exposure include:
* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or
with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick with an acute respiratory
illness.
* Stay home when you are sick with an acute respiratory illness.
Remember, influenza is a far greater threat for death in the U.S.
* Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the
trash. If no tissue is available, cough into your sleeve or clothing,
not your hands.
* Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Q: Should I wear a respiratory mask.
A: Masks will not protect you from getting a respiratory illness, while
washing your hands often and avoiding touching your face, eyes, nose and
mouth, keeping a distance from people who are sneezing or coughing will
help decrease the risk. Mask use is an effective prevention tool in the
healthcare environment, for patients with symptoms and healthcare
providers. Mask use by the general public has not been shown to be
effective.
Q. Does a student with respiratory illness need to visit Student Health
to receive a note to be excused from class?
A. The student should call Student Health Services to be evaluated. If
the student is advised by Student Health to avoid public areas, this
guidance will serve as a “note” to excuse the student from class.
Q: I feel anxious about the news and want to talk about it. Does the
university have resources for me?
Yes. If you are experiencing heightened feelings of anxiety about the
virus and would like to access counseling services, there are resources
available. If you are a student, please call Counseling and
Psychological Services (CAPS) at 858-534-3755. If you are a campus
employee, call the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at
858-534-5523. If you are a UC San Diego Health employee, please contact
your Employee Assistance Program provider aligned with your medical
coverage or call 619-543-3200.
As a community, UC San Diego is firmly committed to creating a culture
of inclusion on our campus, a goal we continue to strive toward and from
which we will not waver. Respect and dignity for all—regardless of race,
ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability or
background—are of paramount importance to our mission as an educational
institution.
HELPFUL RESOURCES:
* UC San Diego Coronavirus website, which is updated daily:
https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/resources/public-health/coronavirus.html
* The CDC website, which is updated daily:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
* UC San Diego Health intranet--Pulse:
https://pulse.ucsd.edu/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
 | Pradeep K. Khosla Chancellor
Patty Maysent
Alysson M. Satterlund
Francesca Torriani, M.D. Stacie San Miguel, M.D.
Nancy E. Resnick |