Dear Campus Community,
Texas Christian University is closely monitoring the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. It is important to note we are not aware of any suspected cases at TCU.
Efforts are underway to identify and prevent 2019-nCoV cases through best practices established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Tarrant County Public Health. According to the CDC the following precautions should be taken:
If you traveled to China in the last 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing, 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.*
- Avoid contact with others.
- Do not travel while sick.
- 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.
Avoid non-essential travel to Wuhan, China. Chinese officials have closed transport within and out of Wuhan, including buses, subways, trains and the airport. Travelers to China should:
- 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.
The same precautions we encourage to prevent the spread of flu can help prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses such as 2019-nCoV, including the following:
- Do not share drinks, straws or utensils.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth when coughing and nose when sneezing.
- Properly dispose of used tissues.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Practice healthy habits: disinfect your home and workspaces, get adequate sleep, stay physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
- Wash your hands:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water, turn off the tap and apply soap.
- Lather your hands, in between your fingers and underneath your fingernails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer: Do the entire, Riff, Ram, Bah, Zoo chant three times!
- Rinse your hands under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Your health and the health of the TCU community are our utmost priorities. Should you have questions about the coronavirus, please call the Health Center (817-257-7940).
Sincerely,
Jane Torgerson, M.D. Director, TCU Health Center
*Two nearby urgent care clinics recommended by the Health Center:
University Urgent Care, 3107 Greene Ave., 817-697-0716
Pediatric and Family Urgent Care, Trinity Commons, 3000 S. Hulen, 817-302-9231