As you may be aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to monitor the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China outbreak (2019-nCoV).
As with many rapidly evolving situations, it is important to have accurate and clear health information available. As of this date and time, there are NO CASES OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS on our campus. The Health and Wellness continues to see many students with respiratory and flu-like symptoms, but NO CASES OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS.
The Health and Wellness Center has reached out to the Office of International Affairs to ensure ongoing communication with international students, as well as to identify any students who are from Wuhan City, China (who we are specifically reaching out to). For students presenting to the Health and Wellness Center with fever and respiratory symptoms, in addition to routine medical assessment, we are also asking about recent travel history, possible contacts with a person with known or suspected 2019-nCoV, and health status, as per CDC guidelines.
We have been in regular and close contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) Bureau of Epidemiology and they, in turn, are in close contact with the CDC. In addition, we are coordinating with the Bethlehem Health Bureau and other local healthcare entities to ensure appropriate evaluation, management, and coordination of care for our students.
For additional information about Coronavirus, please visit this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
It is also important to remember that we are in the midst of influenza (flu) season. As stated, there are a high number of cases of influenza in the local community, as well as on the Lehigh University campus. Influenza is a viral illness that typically causes fever, body aches, headache, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, and fatigue. It can be difficult to determine if an illness is typical “flu” just based on symptoms.
If you have not had the flu shot yet this year (since August 1, 2019), please get the flu shot. Currently the Health and Wellness Center has free flu shots available.
The Health and Wellness Center will continue to update the campus community as needed given this evolving health situation.
Sincerely,
Lehigh University Health and Wellness Center Team