INFORMATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS:
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
HOW IS CORONAVIRUS SPREAD:
According to the CDC, person-to-person is occurring although it’s unclear exactly how it is transmitted and how easily the virus spreads between people. However, it can be spread in the following ways:
- through the air by coughing and sneezing;
- close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; and
- touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
SYMPTONS:
Patients with COVID-19 have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS:
- Please contact Health Services located on first floor of Coppin Hall at 803-376-5733 or 803-376-5732 if you are uncertain or have questions about any medical issues.
- Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your symptoms.
- Self-isolate if you become sick.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care.
SOME PREVENTATIVE MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN:
We are following the CDC’s current recommended guidelines for preventing the spread of the virus on college and university campuses by encouraging our students, faculty, and staff to take the following precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, or after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60 % alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid contact with respiratory secretions.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Sneeze or cough into your elbow instead of your hand.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as your cell phone and keyboard using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Avoid shaking hands and hugging.
- Elbow bump instead of shaking hands.
- Practice good personal hygiene.
- If you haven’t received your flu shot, please be sure to do so.
- On a plane, keep the vents above your seat open to improve ventilation. Point the open vent to blow air away from you.
- Be careful while on Spring Break and follow the above preventive measures.
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS TO OBTAIN DAILY UPDATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL:
www.scdhec.gov/covid19
*****************************************************************************