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Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring a new coronavirus recently identified in China called Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The virus is associated with an outbreak of pneumonia in that country. As of Jan. 28, five cases have been confirmed in the United States. There have been no confirmed cases in Ohio.

However, on January 28, Miami University of Ohio announced two suspected cases of 2019-nCoV in two students who recently returned from China. The students have been isolated and tested and are awaiting results from the CDC. There are currently no additional reported suspected cases. The threat to students on college campuses is still considered low.

Mercy College is monitoring the situation along with the Ohio Department of Higher Education, Mercy Health, and local health departments. Coronaviruses are common throughout the world and while most are known to cause mild to moderate illness, two have been known to cause severe illness. The elderly, people with underlying health problems and people who have compromised immune systems are at greater risk than those who are younger and healthier.

If you have been to China within the last two weeks and have a fever, cough, runny nose, headache, sore throat or difficulty breathing, it is recommended that you report to your medical provider for evaluation.

The CDC website includes detailed information about coronaviruses, how they spread, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. There are currently no additional precautions recommended for the general public to take. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

The CDC has issued two travel warnings, advising against all nonessential travel to China and advising against all travel to Hubei province.

Mercy College will continue to monitor this situation and will keep you updated.

Please direct any questions or concerns to: Marc Adkins, Vice President of Student Affairs at marc.adkins@mercycollege.edu

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