Message to the Campus Community About the 2019 Novel Coronavirus
To All Faculty and Staff,
We are in the middle of the seasonal onset of influenza-like illnesses, and as you may have seen in the news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of a 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This novel coronavirus is a respiratory tract illness that presents flu-like symptoms. It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and has spread to several countries, including one case in the US.
This could potentially be a serious and highly contagious illness; therefore, in an effort to educate our community, we are sharing important information about this virus and what to do if you suspect that you fit the following criteria and are experiencing symptoms:
- Fever AND symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)
and in the last 14 days before symptom onset had:
- A history of travel from or through the Wuhan City, China, hub.
- Close contact with a person who is under investigation for 2019-nCOV while that person was ill.
- Fever OR symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)
and in the last 14 days before symptom onset:
- Had close contact with an ill laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV patient.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Who should I contact if I am impacted by the travel restrictions from China?
If you are unable to travel from China to the United States due to CDC travel restrictions, contact Visa and Immigration Services at vis@stonybrook.edu, or (631) 632-4685.
How does it spread?
This virus most commonly spreads from an infected person to others through:
- Coughing and sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
How can I protect myself and others?
Although there are currently no vaccines available for this disease, there are certain actions you can take to help protect yourself and those around you:
- 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
- Stay home while you're sick and limit close contact with others
- Cover up your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- Keep things clean in your living space to avoid spreading the virus
What should I do if I have these symptoms and I traveled to Wuhan or someone I came in contact with?
- Do not report to work or go to public places to avoid spreading the virus.
- Seek professional medical care.
- Before going to the office of a healthcare provider, call your primary care physician to let them know about your recent travel history and your symptoms when you make the appointment.
- If you do present in a healthcare clinic or facility without calling first, wear a protective respiratory mask and let the triage nurse know about your travel history and symptoms immediately upon arrival.
For more information regarding the 2019-nCoV coronavirus virus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control website.
Michael A. Bernstein
Interim President
Professor of Business, Economics, and History