TO: The Gustavus Community
FROM: Heather Dale, Director of Health Service and Assistant Dean of Students
SUBJECT: COVID-19 (coronavirus) Update
DATE: March 4, 2020
As cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continue to be diagnosed in various parts of the world including the United States, the College is closely monitoring its spread and potential impact on members of the Gustavus community on campus and across the globe. As always, the safety and wellbeing of students, faculty, and staff is our primary concern.
At this time, there are still no confirmed cases of the virus in Minnesota. As a precautionary measure and in keeping with best practices, the College is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for institutions of higher education, including:
- Performing routine environmental cleaning, promoting good respiratory hygiene, and increasing the availability of hand sanitizing stations;
- Continuing regular communication between Gustavus Health Service, the Minnesota Department of Health, and Nicollet County Public Health;
- Holding regular meetings of the Gustavus Infectious Disease Committee and centralizing information sharing among key institutional stakeholders;
- Reviewing, updating, and implementing the College’s infectious disease response plan;
- Analyzing potential impacts and developing contingency plans for Student Life, Academic Affairs, Human Resources, and other operational functions.
In addition, the Gustavus Center for International and Cultural Education (CICE) is in regular communication with program providers and students who are studying away. Due to guidance from the CDC and U.S. Department of State, members of the Gustavus community are currently restricted from traveling to China, South Korea, and Italy on any College-affiliated trip. A small number of students’ study away programs have been affected, and CICE is working with them and their program providers to provide alternative academic programming or modify travel plans. As the situation continues to develop, CICE is prepared to take additional steps to limit travel and/or cancel programs if necessary. For now, study away locations are being monitored closely in consultation with our local program providers and any further decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness such as influenza or COVID-19, please take the following steps:
- Practice social distancing; do not go to work, attend class, or visit other areas where groups of people are present until you have consulted with a health care professional. Be sure to communicate with your supervisor, professors, etc… about your absence.
- Call or email Gustavus Health Service (students) or your primary care provider (employees) for further instructions.
All members of the Gustavus community should continue to wash their hands regularly, get a flu shot if you haven’t already, and practice good respiratory hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes.
Gustavus is taking these precautionary measures seriously and continually assessing the possible risk to members of our community. While we recognize that the perception of risk is not a science, please know that the Gustavus Health Service, the Infectious Disease Committee, and senior College leadership understand the level of concern and importance of planning ahead. We remain committed to using the best information available to provide updates and take appropriate steps to reduce the risk to our community.
Students, please feel free to forward this email to your parent(s) or guardian(s). All members of the Gustavus community are also encouraged to update their emergency contact information on the Gustavus website. Please visit the Gustavus Health Service website for more information, including links and a COVID-19 FAQ page.