Towson Issues Coronavirus Campus Update

From Towson University:

February 26, 2020

Towson University continues to actively monitor the outbreak of respiratory illness
caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19). There are currently no confirmed cases
in Maryland or at Towson University. The TU Health Center will continue to share information on its website as it becomes available.

As Spring Break approaches with the evolving spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19),
whether you are personally staying local, traveling within the US, or traveling abroad,
the TU Health Center recommends the following precautions:

• Keep your immunizations up-to-date including an annual flu shot.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• 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 using a regular household
  cleaning spray or wipe
• Wash your hands often with soap and water following the CDC’s handwashing guidelines
  (https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that individuals call ahead
and notify your health care provider of your symptoms and recent travel history. Contact
with others should be avoided until a healthcare provider has provided an evaluation.

The CDC has also issued travel advisories related to Coronavirus and other disease
outbreaks. Please visit this site for updates on all travel advisories https://wwwnc/cdc/travel/notices.

No matter where you are traveling, if you have any underlying medical conditions,
please discuss all travel with your healthcare provider.

TU Study Abroad and University-Related International Travel for Spring 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our primary concern.
We know that the outbreak and spread of coronavirus is concerning to all members of
the Towson University community both at home and abroad.

Together with our international partners, Towson University is taking all necessary
precautions to provide for the health and safety of our students abroad and to allow
for the continuation of academic programming in case of possible temporary closures.
We remain committed to supporting our students during their study abroad experience.

With regards to university-sponsored and university-related travel, TU has taken the
following actions:

• On January 30, 2020, Towson University suspended all study abroad programming and
  all university-sponsored and university-related travel to China for spring 2020.
• Effective immediately, Towson University has suspended any and all upcoming university-sponsored and university-related travel during the spring 2020 term to Italy and Japan, out of an abundance of caution.
• Based upon CDC travel advisories, Towson University will not recall or withdraw faculty,
  staff, or students who are currently abroad in Italy or Japan, at this time. However,
  the university will provide assistance and support to facilitate the early return
  home for any TU student studying abroad anywhere during the spring 2020 term. The
  TU Study Abroad office is in direct communication with spring 2020 term study abroad
  participants.
• No decisions have been made regarding Spring Break, summer, or fall university travel at this time.

These decisions are based on the latest information available to us including current
recommendations by the U.S. Department of State, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
and in consultation with our international partners and affiliate providers.

Towson University will continually evaluate this rapidly evolving situation based
on the recommendations of both host country and U.S. public health authorities and
will take alternative action as appropriate.

Update: 4:15 p.m. on Jan. 30

As an update to the message to campus this morning, the university was informed Thursday
afternoon that the test results for the individual noted below have come back negative.

For ongoing updates, please visit the TU Health Center's website on Coronavirus. State health officials are also keeping their website updated with the latest information.

Email to campus on Jan. 30

The TU Health Center continues to actively monitor the outbreak of respiratory illness
caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (termed “2019-nCoV”) that was first detected and
identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. There are currently no confirmed
cases at Towson University.

On Wednesday evening the TU Health Center was informed that a Towson University professor
has come in contact with a family member currently being tested for Coronavirus.

Health professionals have evaluated both the professor and family member and determined
that both individuals are at low risk for the virus. However, out of an abundance
of caution, the professor — in conjunction with the university — has decided to not
return to campus pending the family member’s final test results expected in the next
few days from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The university has communicated to the students in the professor’s class and offered
support. Additionally, we are keeping them as well as the TU campus community updated
on this situation.

At this time, the current risk to the Towson University community remains low, and
the university has been advised that additional precautions are not necessary.

Towson University currently has no students studying abroad in China, and there is
no study abroad programming in China for spring 2020. Until further notice, the university
is suspending all university-related and university-sponsored travel to China.

The university is maintaining normal operations, all classes and events will be held
as scheduled.

The TU Health Center remains in communication with local county and state health officials.
Please continue to follow the guidance recommended by the CDC shared by the TU Health Center earlier this week.

We will continue to carefully monitor this situation. As new information becomes available
it will be shared via university communications email and on the TU Health Center website.

Email to campus on Jan. 27

This message was sent Monday, January 27, 2020 on behalf of the Towson University
Health Center:

Dear TU Students, Faculty, and Staff:

The TU Health Center is actively monitoring the outbreak of respiratory illness caused
by a novel (new) coronavirus (termed “2019-nCoV”) that was first detected and identified
in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.

There are currently no confirmed cases in the State of Maryland or at Towson University.
The TU Health Center is in communication with local county and state health officials
and will share information on the TU Health Center website as it becomes available.

Despite the low health risk, we are providing information on Coronavirus from the Center for Disease Control to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff.

If individuals have traveled to Hubei Province of China in the last 14 days and are
experiencing fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, they should seek medical attention
right away from a healthcare provider. The CDC advises that individuals call ahead
and notify your health care provider of your symptoms and recent travel history. Contact
with others should be avoided until a healthcare provider has provided an evaluation.

Additionally, flu activity is high in the U.S. and expected to continue for weeks.
Anyone who has not received a flu vaccine this season should consider getting the
vaccine. Flu shots are still available at the TU Health Center.

Contact the Health Center at 410-704-2466 for more information.

This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.