To the Students of Case Western Reserve University:
We are following up on Friday’s email in light of ongoing developments involving the novel coronavirus strain (2019-nCoV) that originated in Wuhan, China. As we wrote then, we are closely following all updates and guidance from state, national and global health authorities. At this time, Case Western Reserve has no suspected or confirmed cases of individuals with this infection.
The five confirmed cases in the U.S. include two in California, one in Arizona, one in Chicago, and one in Washington state. All of them involve individuals who traveled in the Wuhan province. Earlier today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control emphasized that it “continues to believe the immediate risk to the U.S. general public is low at this time.”
For students who are traveling to or returning from China, the most up-to-date guidance from the CDC can be found on the CDC website. We are asking students who return from China to watch for any of the following symptoms within 14 days of returning: fever (at or above 100.4 degrees), cough and/or shortness of breath.
If you develop these symptoms and have recently traveled from China (past 14 days) or been in contact with someone believed to have contracted the novel coronavirus, please do not go to class. Call 216.368.2450 BEFORE coming in to Health Services. A nurse will speak with you and arrange for you to see a medical provider to determine the actual nature of your illness. A nurse is also available on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 216.368.2450 for advice.
We recognize that some of you are feeling growing concerns about family or friends in China. Counseling services offers walk-in appointments during weekday office hours, as well as a counselor on call (at 216.368.5872) available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Again, the University Health and Counseling Services site offers the most recent updates for our campus. You also can learn more on the CDC’s pages regarding the new strain.
We will provide more information as it becomes available.
Sara Lee, MD
Executive Director of University Health and Counseling Services
Richard B. Pazol, PsyD
Director of Counseling Services