Dear All,
The University of York has shared advice concerning the Coronavirus in the
email message copied below. I am distributing it to all users to ensure
those users outwith the University are informed. I can also add that there
are multiple points in YNiC, where alcohol-based hand rub is available and
users are encouraged to use these cleansers to reduce the risk of infection
transmission.
Best wishes
Tony
Dear colleagues
As you will be aware, the Coronavirus is a new infection detected in Wuhan,
China. The University is monitoring the situation and sharing the guidance
issued by Public Health England. The University expects staff and students
to follow that guidance. To date there have been no confirmed cases in the
UK and the risk is still considered low. However, Public Health England
have issued new advice yesterday.
*Advice for Travellers from Wuhan*If you have returned from Wuhan in the
last 14 days:
- stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with
other flu viruses
- telephone the NHS helpline on 111 to inform them of your recent travel
to the city
- contact your department and explain the situation
*Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.*
If you develop a fever, difficulty breathing or a cough, you should
continue to follow the advice above. Please do not leave your home until
you have been given advice by a medical professional.
*Advice for everyone else*
*Precautionary measures*Advice from Public Health England to reduce
exposure to and transmission of the virus include:
- Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and
water
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing
- Bin the tissue immediately and wash hands
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough
*Symptoms*Common signs of infection include fever, coughing, sneezing,
shortness of breath or breathing difficulties.
*What to do if you think you may have the virus*If you develop symptoms and
you have had contact with someone who has recently been in the affected
areas of China, you should telephone the NHS 111 helpline.
If you are registered with a GP (such as Unity Health) you may make an
appointment but should phone ahead and explain your situation before
visiting the practice.
Anyone who needs medical advice but is not registered with a GP should
phone the NHS helpline by dialling 111.
*Travel*The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
<https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china> has advised against all
travel to Wuhan and Hubei Province and have *advised against all but
essential travel to the rest of mainland China*. In addition, Chinese
authorities have introduced travel restrictions in a number of cities in
Hubei province.
Public Health England also advises anyone travelling to China to avoid
contact with sick people, animals, animal markets and to maintain good
hygiene.
*Travel reminder*Staff and students travelling on authorised University
business outside of the UK *must *log their trip on the Travel Log and
adhere to travel risk assessment requirements
<https://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hsas/safetynet/Insurance/travel_insurance.htm>
.
*Student Support*Students were sent this same email and were also advised
to contact the University’s Student Hub in addition to telephoning 111 if
they have been in Wuhan in the past 14 days, or if they are worried about
friends and family and need support.
*Additional information*World Health Organisation advice
<https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public>
on
protecting yourself and others
Public Health England
<https://www.gov.uk/government/news/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-and-avian-flu-advice-for-travel-to-china>
updates
World Health Organisation
<https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019>updates
Best regards
Heidi Fraser-Krauss
Deputy Registrar and Director of Corporate and Information Services
--
Antony Morland, PhD.
Director, York Neuroimaging Centre
Department of Psychology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.