To UMW students, faculty, and staff who are traveling abroad:
We hope that you have had a fruitful and healthy trip. As you prepare to return to the United States and to UMW, we wanted to provide you with the latest information and guidance from the Virginia Department of Health regarding the global outbreak of COVID-19, or coronavirus.
Health and emergency management officials at UMW are closely monitoring the situation. Currently, there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Virginia, but the status is continually evolving.
If you have traveled to China, Italy, South Korea, or Iran, you are at high risk, and we encourage you to self-isolate for 14 days upon your return. Your risk is high, as well, if you have been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus.
For those of you who have traveled to countries other than the four listed, we urge you to be vigilant in monitoring for signs of respiratory illness. Should you experience trouble breathing or flu-like symptoms (high temperatures, coughing, respiratory problems, fever or body aches), please see a health care professional immediately. It would be helpful to call ahead.
Steps for all of us to remember:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid sharing anything that has come in contact with saliva, whether in your living or social environments.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.
- Additional information is available from the CDC.
Rest assured the University is committed to providing as much support and guidance as possible. We will provide updates as needed. In addition, we will be sending in the next day or so an all-UMW message with contact information about questions and concerns regarding UMW and COVID-19. Meanwhile, feel free to reach out to me.
Safe travels. It will be great to have you home!
Juliette Landphair, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
University of Mary Washington
540-654-1062
Jlandpha@umw.edu