The Corona virus: What is it and What is BSU doing about it?
A UMASS Boston student has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus making him the first person in Massachusetts to be diagnosed with the illness.
He was diagnosed after recently returning from Wuhan City, China, where the virus is confirmed to have started. The student did have contact with a small group of people upon his arrival back to Boston and those people are being closely monitored by health officials.
The Coronavirus is a respiratory illness that shows its face in flu-like symptoms such as, coughing, sneezing, a fever, etc.
The first known reports came from Wuhan City, China and spread throughout the country infecting thousands and killing many before it eventually spread to 18 different countries, including America.
The Wellness Center at BSU recently sent a mass email to Bridgewater students and faculty to recognize the virus and tell students how they are working to combat the virus.
The email sent out by Dr. Chris Frazer, Executive Director, and Cindy Calderon, MSN, ANP, BC, Clinical Director of The Wellness Center was sent out to help settle any panic students may be feeling.
The email reassures students that even if you have flu-like symptoms, you’re more likely to have the flu or a common cold, especially if you haven’t traveled to an affected area of China recently.
BSU has also taken proactive measures to cancel or delay all study abroad trips that were planning to land in China. This comes from the Minnock Center for Global Engagement risk management protocol. This protocol states that the school “must prohibit travel for all level 3 warnings by the CDC” (Center for Disease Control).
BSU will not sponsor any travel to China until that warning is officially lifted.
The email also contained ways to keep yourself healthy during this worldwide outbreak, and cold and flu season in general.
Be sure to wash your hands often with soap and water, do not touch your eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands, stay home when you feel sick, stay away from people who are sick, and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
People with weakened immune systems, autoimmune disorders, and respiratory conditions, along with the elderly and very young are the most at risk.
The Wellness Center asks that you contact them immediately at 508-531-1252 or seek care at a local urgent care facility if you have a cough, fever, or difficulty breathing. The Wellness Center can be visited during these hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and until 7:00 pm on Wednesdays.
