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 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.

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 on protecting yourself and others
Public Health England updates
World Health Organisation updates

Best regards
Heidi Fraser-Krauss
Deputy Registrar and Director of Corporate and Information Services