The technical name of the novel coronavirus is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The viral pneumonia it causes is known as COVID-19, short for coronavirus disease in 2019. This particular strain of the virus emerged from animals, likely from a seafood market in Wuhan China, and is now spreading throughout the world in humans. The virus is closely related to, but different than SARS, and likely also was originally a bat coronavirus. Coronaviruses are small viruses that are common throughout the animal kingdom including in humans and were named for the spikes on their surface that resemble a crown – corona is derived from the Latin name for a crown.
How is the University responding?
There has not been a confirmed case of COVID-19 on our campus. However, Gov. Bill Lee confirmed Thursday, March 5, Tennessee’s first coronavirus case near Nashville. We set up our Emergency Operations Center, and the UTC Executive Leadership Team has met to monitor the latest coronavirus updates and plan for future scenarios.
Below are the precautionary steps we are taking concerning travel to help ensure the safety and well-being of our Mocs family.
International Travel Restrictions
Beginning immediately, the university is suspending all outgoing university-related international travel. This includes travel related to teaching, research or grant activity, internships, conferences and presentations, performances and athletics.
We strongly encourage you to curtail personal international travel. If you are currently overseas and will be returning in the coming weeks, you must follow all CDC guidelines.
The university will reimburse students, faculty and staff for expenses associated with an international business trip that has been canceled due to COVID-19 for which they cannot receive reimbursement through other means. For information about reimbursement procedures, contact the Finance and Administration Office.
Domestic Travel Recommendations
Please be mindful of domestic travel and bringing visitors to campus. Other parts of the country have declared states of emergency as they work to contain the COVID-19. Be sure to follow CDC recommendations and your health care provider’s guidance if you are experiencing viral symptoms, especially if you have traveled recently.
We will continue to monitor the spread of the virus and adhere to the direction of the Tennessee Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and other stakeholders. In conjunction with these professional partners, we will continue to make the decisions we believe will best protect the health of our campus community.
Additional Information on COVID-19
What does COVID-19 cause? How do I know if I have COVID-19? What should I do if I think I have been exposed or infected?
COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, can be very severe or may cause no symptoms at all. Many patients experience fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Typical signs of a “cold,” e.g., runny nose, sore throat, and congestion, are not usually present. In severe cases, the disease leads to problems breathing, requiring hospitalization and respiratory support. Many of the deaths recorded so far from COVID-19 are in the elderly or in those with other chronic medical issues, such as heart or lung conditions. At present in the United States, very few cases have been reported, and no cases have been identified in Tennessee. Since infection requires exposure to someone with the disease, the great majority of respiratory infections here, if there has been no recent travel to an area where the disease is widespread, are due to other causes such as influenza. If you have been exposed to someone known to have the disease, and you develop symptoms, you should call your healthcare provider so they can arrange for testing and care.
How do I prevent infection with the novel coronavirus? Does wearing a mask help? Should I wear a mask on a plane?
There are no vaccines or preventive medicines for the novel coronavirus at present. The virus likely spreads the same way as the flu – by airborne droplets and by being picked up from surfaces or someone else’s hands and being introduced into your eyes, nose, or mouth inadvertently during daily activities. The best way to prevent infection is not to go near someone who is sick with the disease – avoid travel to areas of the world where COVID-19 outbreaks are occurring. If you are in areas with active disease outbreaks, then the best measures are to stay at least 6 feet away from anyone with symptoms, avoid close contact such as shaking hands, and practice frequent hand hygiene.
The novel coronavirus can be killed on your hands or on other surfaces with normal varieties of soap, disinfectants, and alcohol solutions such as hand gels. Special disinfectants are not needed. Frequently cleaning your hands and being very careful not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth without cleaning your hands are the best prevention if you are in an outbreak. Common surgical masks are probably modestly effective for a short period of time, but are not a reliable method for preventing infection. N95 respirators are likely more effective but are also not reliable. If a mask is uncomfortable, it may even be counterproductive by leading you to put your hands to your face more often. There is no information that suggests wearing a mask on a plane reduces the likelihood of infection with the novel coronavirus.
What countries should I avoid traveling to?
Currently, China and South Korea are the only countries to which the U.S. Government has recommended avoiding all non-essential travel. Iran, Italy, and Japan have been classified as moderate risk – these destinations are experiencing sustained community transmission of respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus. Older adults and those with chronic medical conditions should consider postponing nonessential travel. As these outbreaks continue to spread, other countries or parts of other countries will also be affected. U.S. travelers can keep up to date at the following website where any new countries to avoid will be posted: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
Can I receive mail or packages from infected areas?
Yes, it is very unlikely that the virus could be acquired from packages or mail due to the time involved in shipping, changes in temperatures, and types of materials used. The virus cannot be acquired from the air in popped bubble wrap or other inflated packaging from China.
How long before symptoms appear? How long does the disease last? When is someone infectious?
Symptoms appear in a broad range between two and 10 days after exposure and infection. If someone has not developed symptoms in 14 days from exposure, it is deemed unlikely that they were infected. It is unknown how long the disease lasts, but it is likely to vary considerably by age and by the state of your immune system. Persons who are infected are considered infectious and can transmit the virus before they have symptoms, and may be able to transmit for some time after they have recovered – not enough research has been done on this topic yet to give definitive answers.
Where can I get more information?
The latest known information on the coronavirus (COVID-19) is at the CDC’s Coronavirus website.
Source: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Will UTC be closing campus and offering online classes due to the coronavirus?