Dear UC Santa Barbara Community:
We at Student Health Services wanted to update our community on the 2019 Wuhan Novel Coronavirus status (2019-nCoV) and how we are responding, as I'm sure many of you have questions and concerns. We are following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
As recommended by the CDC and CDPH, any suspected cases undergo screening and appropriate interventions including isolation and treatment are undertaken at that time.
There has been much concern about potential cases on campus. These inquiries have been thoroughly assessed and no cases have been identified on our campus at this time; however we will continue to actively monitor the situation.
Currently, travel in China to and from areas where there are active 2019-nCoV case is restricted. The U.S. is screening passengers at major hubs where flights arrive from China including Los Angeles International and San Francisco International.
If someone has a fever and cough or difficulty breathing AND they have traveled to Wuhan OR have been in close contact with someone who was diagnosed or currently classified as a person under investigation (PUI) with 2019-nCoV in the past 14 days, then they will be identified as suspect and will be managed according to CDC and CPPH guidelines.
Given that we are in week 4 of instruction, students who have been on campus since the beginning of this quarter are outside the time frame of concern and are quite likely to remain at lower risk.
If there is anyone who is still within the two week arrival or contact window AND has the above symptoms, they need to isolate themselves and contact Student Health at 805-893-7129 or 805-893-3371. If it is after hours, contact Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital at 805-967-3411 for further instructions.
Student Health continues to support stringent infection control measures of frequent hand washing, covering a cough, not sharing utensils, cups, etc and an annual flu vaccine. Students can schedule online to get a flu vaccine at studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu
Please visit the Student Health website studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu for information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and California Department of Public Health for up to date information.
