Coronavirus overview and prevention tips

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit this webpage for resources and additional information.

January 29, 2:30 p.m.

Florida Poly Community,

The well-being of our students, faculty and staff is Florida Poly’s top priority. We are monitoring updates related to the coronavirus, a serious respiratory illness that has caused more than 100 deaths in Asia.

As you may have seen in the news, there are thousands of cases confirmed in Wuhan, China. Additional cases have been identified in a growing number of countries, including the United States, where several cases in travelers from China have been confirmed in Arizona, California, Illinois and Washington State. No cases have been reported in Florida thus far.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the coronavirus a public health concern. Florida Poly is coordinating with local health departments and receiving guidance from state and federal health officials.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

According to the CDC, patients with confirmed coronavirus infection generally experience symptoms of:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

Symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure. The virus can cause pneumonia and in severe cases there can be death (4%).

WHAT YOU CAN DO

There is currently no vaccine to prevent the coronavirus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash 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
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

IN CASE YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS

If you have symptoms of a dry cough, fever or shortness of breath:

• Students can visit the Campus Health Center Monday-Friday, 1pm-5pm.
• Students can also contact Kristin Stokes, Campus CARE Manager, at care@floridapoly.edu or 863.874.8599 to connect with additional health resources.
• Staff, Faculty, and others please contact your primary care provider.
• If severely ill, call 911 or present to an emergency department and explain your travel history.

For more information, please visit the following websites:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

-Edwina Hall (Executive Assistant to the Vice President and CFO)

Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Director of Communications
863-874-8557