Health Reminders Regarding Coronavirus

With the spring semester set to begin on Monday, we write with a reminder about health precautions related to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. This coronavirus can lead to fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The incubation period for this virus (how soon symptoms appear from the time of first exposure) is 14 days.

Important Health Information for Those Who Have Recently Traveled to China (or have been in contact with someone who has):

If you or someone with whom you’ve been in contact has traveled to China and it has been fewer than 14 days since your or their return, please do the following:

Notify the College by emailing safety@mmm.edu so that we can provide any necessary medical guidance. Please include the date of your expected return to campus.
Call your healthcare provider:

If you are a student, call the Dow Zanghi Student Health Center at 212-759-5870 or contact the nearest urgent care center for assistance and/or evaluation.
If you are a faculty or staff member, contact your personal health care provider.

Avoid contact with others and avoid using public transportation if you are feeling ill. Isolate yourself from roommates, except for seeking medical care.

Symptoms

Human coronaviruses commonly cause mild-to-moderate illness in people, similar to what you may feel with influenza or a bad cold. Symptoms can include:

Runny nose
Headache
Cough
Sore throat
Fever

Prevention

There are currently no vaccines available to protect against human coronavirus infection. To reduce your risk of infection:

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Avoid contact with animals while abroad, including live bird markets.
Ensure food is thoroughly cooked, including eggs and meats.
Seek medical assistance as soon as possible if you develop symptoms during or after travel, especially if the symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Seek Care

Coronavirus symptoms and flu symptoms are similar. The majority of the cases of this coronavirus have occurred in and around the city of Wuhan in China. If you have not been to the area of the outbreak but are experiencing symptoms similar to those above, it is much more likely that you have the flu. If you have symptoms of fever, cough, and body aches and are feeling concerned, call the Dow Zanghi Student Health Center at 212-759-5870 or your personal healthcare provider for assistance.

Additional Resources

CDC Info on Coronavirus
World Health Organization (WHO) Info about Coronavirus
NYC Health information about Coronavirus
Johns Hopkins University has set up a disease spread mapping applicationtracking the Wuhan Coronavirus in real-time.

If you have any health-related questions, please contact the Dow Zanghi Student Health Center at 212-759-5870 or healthcenter@mmm.edu.

Published: January 31, 2020