(Image courtesy of the CDC)With many of you planning to travel internationally during the upcoming spring break, please use this opportunity to learn the latest information about important health issues surrounding the COVID-19 virus, previously referred to as coronavirus.
Firstly, the Chicago Department of Public Health has stated that the health risk to the general public in the Chicagoland area continues to remain low for COVID-19. You can learn more on the CDPH website.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, patients with confirmed COVID-19 report mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms appear two to 14 days after exposure. To minimize the spread of any infectious disease including influenza, the CDC recommends the following:
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Visit the COVID-19 factsheet from CDC with more detailed information.
Secondly, the CDC issued updated travel notices: China and South Korea are at Level 3 (avoid all nonessential travel); Iran, Italy and Japan are at Level 2 (sustained community transmission of COVID-19); and Hong Kong is at Level 1 (practice usual precautions.). For more information from the CDC regarding international travel, visit the CDC's COVID-19 Information for Travel website.
Approximately 65 DePaul students are currently abroad. Of these, none are in China or South Korea. Five students are in countries with current CDC level 2 travel advisories. University staff have been in contact with each of them to provide travel updates.
Several upcoming study abroad programs have been canceled, including a short-term program in Japan during spring break and a first-year abroad program to China scheduled to occur this summer. A term-long program to Shanghai this summer is on hold and will be reviewed next month. DePaul is monitoring the situation and will make additional decisions about upcoming programs abroad as new information becomes available.
As international response to COVID-19 continues to take shape, the DePaul community is reminded to stay informed by reliable sources and to remain compassionate to students, faculty and staff who may have family or friends in countries that are affected.
More information about the COVID-19 virus can be found on the Student Affairs website.