Information About 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) for the University of Wyoming Campus Community
What is novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)?
2019-nCoV is a newly identified coronavirus that is causing an outbreak of pneumonia illness. It was first identified in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
Since then, the virus has been identified in multiple other countries, including cases in the U.S.
Currently, there have been no cases identified or under investigation in the state of Wyoming.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human coronaviruses are common throughout the world and usually cause mild to moderate illness in people. This new virus is a public health concern because:
- It is newly identified, so much is still unknown about it.
- Two other human coronaviruses, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, have caused severe illness.
What is the risk?
The CDC considers this new virus a public health concern based on current information. However, the immediate health risk to the general US public is considered low at this time. The CDC and the World Health Organization are closely monitoring the situation and providing ongoing guidance.
Symptoms and transmission:
Symptoms may be flu-like, ranging from mild to serious, and include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing.
Person-to-person spread is occurring, although it’s unclear exactly how it is transmitted and how easily the virus spreads between people.
If you travel to/through Wuhan or other parts of China:
The CDC recommends avoiding non-essential travel to Wuhan, China. Chinese officials have closed transport within and out of Wuhan, including buses, subways, trains, and the airport. If you must travel:
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to Wuhan with their health care provider.
- Students participating in programs with plans to travel abroad should contact their program coordinator for updates and guidance.
Treatment:
People infected with 2019-nCoV should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for 2019-nCoV infection. (source: CDC)
Prevention:
There is no vaccine to prevent this virus, and the CDC advises that the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
Currently, 2019-nCoV has not been found to be spreading in the U.S., so there are no additional precautions recommended for the general public to take.
Here are everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:
- Wash your 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, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Recommendations for people with respiratory symptoms:
If you have symptoms of fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing AND in the last 14 days you:
- Traveled to Wuhan, or
- Visited an affected region in China, or
- Had close contact with someone who had traveled to an affected region in China and had respiratory symptoms.
You should:
- Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
- Students who are eligible to use the UW Student Health service and are concerned about possible 2010-nCoV infection should call ahead to 307-766-2130 to advise us of your symptoms and travel history. DO NOT USE THE PATIENT PORTAL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS CONCERN!
- Faculty, staff, non-eligible students and members of the Laramie community with concerns for this infection should call their primary care provider, a local urgent care clinic, or Albany County Public Health (307-721-2561) for further advice. If your concern develops outside business/clinic hours, you may call Ivinson Memorial Hospital at 307-742-2141 for further advice. Do NOT call 911 for advice unless you or someone else is experiencing a life-threatening condition.
- Avoid contact with others.
- Do not travel while sick. Please do not use public/campus transportation or just arrive at the Student Health Service if you have concerns for 2019-nCoV infection. Please call instead: 307-766-2130.
- Outside of posted SHS clinic hours, students may call the after-hours nurse triage line at 307-766-2130 for advice.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
What is the campus health service doing about 2019-nCoV?
- The UW Student Health Service is monitoring the situation via daily communications and updates from the World Health Organization, the CDC, and the Wyoming Department of Health.
- We that ask ALL students who seek care at the Student Health Service (regardless of travel history) who are ill with fever and respiratory symptoms to put on a surgical mask immediately upon arrival at the clinic to help prevent the spread of cold, flu, and other illnesses to fellow students and health center staff. Mask and hand sanitizer stations are located near the clinic entrance and throughout the clinic.
- We are screening ALL students who present for care at SHS for recent international travel, regardless of the reason for their visit.
- We will update this page and recommendations as necessary pending any new information available to us.
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