Faculty, Staff and Students,

Grambling State’s administration is monitoring developments related to the Novel Coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, which was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. At this time, there have been no cases of the disease on campus, in Louisiana, or even in the Southeast region of the United States. The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, has determined that the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to the general American public is considered low at this time.

However, the CDC and the U.S. State Department have upgraded warnings against travel to china to the highest level. The World Health Organization has also declared the coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency. Accordingly, the University is prohibiting all Grambling State students, faculty and staff from traveling to China for university business or university academic purposes, until further notice. Travel to China for personal reasons is also strongly discouraged.

Before traveling, check the CDC’s website for health travel advisories or visit the site to learn more about this virus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

This virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms are thought to appear within two to 14 days after exposure and consist of fever, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing.

If you traveled to China in the past 14 days and are experiencing these symptoms, you should:

• Seek medical care immediately. Before going to the Student Health Center, doctor’s office, or emergency room, call ahead and inform them of your recent travel and your symptoms so they can be prepared for your arrival and minimize exposure to others.
• Avoid contact with others and avoid travel of any kind to help mitigate the spread of the illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing. (Covering with your hands will then spread the germs to anything you touch.)
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Any Grambling State students who traveled to China in the past 14 days and are not experiencing symptoms should contact the Foster-Johnson Health Center at 318-274-2351 for guidance and assistance.

Members of the Grambling State community, especially those from China, who are not sick but have an increased level of anxiety about the situation can contact the Foster-Johnson Health Center’s Mental Health Service at 318-274-2351 to speak to someone or make an appointment.

The CDC also recommends every day healthy habits to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm

Grambling State will continue to closely follow all developments related to the Novel Coronavirus and will keep the campus community apprised of any major changes in the situation.