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Dear Red Wolves,
I want to reach out and reassure all of you that the university is monitoring the world health crisis that is dominating the news. Our Emergency Management office has reviewed our existing plans for virus-based health incidents, and we have conferred with our partners at NYITCOM about next steps should they become necessary. Our response team members are in contact with the Arkansas Department of Health, and are carefully monitoring information from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to the coronovirus.
I hope you noticed the email I sent to you last Friday related to coronavirus. I’m sending this note to you today as a reminder that if there is a change in the situation, we will alert you. At this time, there are no known cases of coronavirus infection on our campus.
In preparing our response to the potential for coronavirus outbreak, I have been reminded by medical professionals that we already do have a virus in our community and state that has sickened thousands. Influenza season is particularly widespread and deadly this year, not only in Arkansas, but nationwide. The CDC reports that there have been over 15 million cases of flu and 8,200 deaths in the US this influenza season. The Arkansas Department of Health recently reported 33 influenza-related deaths in the state this season and that over 1,900 Arkansans tested positive for the flu just this past week.
Your keys to limiting exposure to all viruses are similar. Wash your hands frequently. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth – germs often spread when a person touches something contaminated and then your eyes, nose or mouth. Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow if you cough or sneeze. If you feel sick, please stay home. If you are a student who is worried about classes, contact your instructors and let them know why you aren’t in class. If you think you have flu-like symptoms, see a doctor, they can help limit the flu’s impact with antiviral prescriptions. And don't forget, you can still get a flu vaccine to protect yourself. For more flu information, go to the CDC's flu website.
If you have concerns, please reach out to me at Chancellor@AState.edu.
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