Coronavirus Updates

Updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Here at NJCU, we continue to track the coronavirus carefully. The following information is created to further inform you regarding the current status by the CDC and other details that may be helpful to you:

What is the coronavirus (2019-nCoV)?
2019-nCoV is a newly identified coronavirus that is causing an outbreak of pneumonia illness. First identified in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, the virus has been detected in multiple other countries, including cases in the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human coronaviruses are common throughout the world and usually cause mild to moderate illness in people. This new virus is a public health concern because:

Much is still unknown about it.
Two other human coronaviruses, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, have caused severe illness.

What is the risk?
The CDC considers this new virus a public health concern based on current information. However, the immediate health risk to the general US public is deemed to be low at this time. The CDC and the World Health Organization are closely monitoring the situation and providing ongoing guidance.

Symptoms and Transmission:
Symptoms may be flu-like, ranging from mild to severe, and include:

Fever
Cough
Difficulty breathing.

Person-to-person spread is occurring, although it’s unclear exactly how it is transmitted and how easily the virus spreads between people.

If you travel to/through Wuhan or other parts of China:
The CDC recommends avoiding non-essential travel to Wuhan, China. Chinese officials have closed transport within and out of Wuhan, including buses, subways, trains, and the airport. If you must travel:

Avoid contact with sick people.
Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to Wuhan with their health care provider.

Steps NJCU Has Taken:
Since the discovery, NJCU has postponed all trips to China until the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the virus is no longer a threat. In addition, the University is advising students, faculty, or staff who have recently traveled to China on education abroad trips or on vacation for the holiday break to see their primary doctor immediately if they begin to experience flu-like symptoms.

NJCU is coordinating with Hudson Regional Health Commission, NJ Department of Health, the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, the NJCU Health and Wellness Center, the Global Initiatives Unit and other university stakeholders regarding response.

The Facilities Department has increased the frequency of sanitizing common building surfaces or objects that are touched often to lower the risk of spreading infection. The Purell sanitizing stations are located throughout campus and are refilled as needed.

The NJCU Health and Wellness Center closely monitors any students who come into the Center. There have not been any reported issues on our campus. The NJCU Health and Wellness Center works closely with the N.J. Department of Health, as well as the CDC, for continuous updates regarding this situation.

In response to all pandemic illnesses, the Department of Public Safety and Environmental Health and Safety follow protocols outlined by our government partners to ensure a University-wide response.

Prevention:
People infected with 2019-nCoV should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for 2019-nCoV infection. (source: CDC)

There is no vaccine to prevent this virus, and the CDC advises that the best way to avoid infection is to prevent exposure to this virus.
Currently, 2019-nCoV is spreading in the U.S., so there are no additional precautions recommended for the general public to take.

Here are everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Recommendations for people with respiratory symptoms:
**If you have symptoms of fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing and in the last 14 days you:

Traveled to Wuhan, or
Visited an affected region in China, or
Had close contact with someone who had traveled to an affected region in China and had respiratory symptoms.

You should:
If you are feeling ill, please do not come to campus. Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

Others may contact their health care provider or call the N.J. Department of Health at 1-800-222-1222. https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml

Avoid contact with others.
Do not travel while sick. Please do not get on public transportation or just arrive at the NJCU Health and Wellness Center. Stay home from class and work if you’re sick. Avoid people who are sick. Please call instead:

Phone: 201-200-3456
Fax: 201-200-2011
Email: hwc@njcu.edu

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

As we continue to monitor this issue, we would like to extend our heartfelt thoughts and sympathies to our friends, colleagues, family members, including our partners in China, who may be affected by this virus. The NJCU Counseling and Wellness staff are here to support anyone who may need it.