Employee Flu Reporting Phone Line:
If employees have flu symptoms (a fever of 100 degrees or higher AND either a cough or sore throat), stay home and on your first day of illness, call the HR Flu Hotline 229-7610.
Then on the day you are free of fever using no medication of any kind, phone again to report your plan to return to work 24 hours after being fever-free.
Our goal is to remain open, to prevent illness as much as possible, to monitor levels of illness, to treat ill students effectively if they remain on campus, and to consider closing only if the numbers of ill employees and students become so large that safe and effective campus operations are compromised.
November 29, 2009
We are frustrated to report to you that the H1N1 dosage supplies we expected for the December 2 clinic have not arrived, and we have received confirmation that they will not arrive this week. Without explanation, we did receive a very small fraction of our order. With the philosophy that every little bit helps, we are altering our plans.
First, the December 2 H1N1 Flu Immunization Clinic is canceled.
Second, we will be able to immunize about 80 students only this week. We will distribute 20 immunizations each day for four days, as follows:
Students whose last names begin with A-F, on Monday, Nov. 30, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at Torrey Health Center
Students whose last names begin with G-L, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., at Torrey Health Center
Students whose last names begin with M-R, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., at Torrey Health Center
Students whose last names begin with S-Z, on Thursday, Dec. 3, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., at Torrey Health Center
In this way, the Torrey staff will be able immunize as well as care for students who need any medical assistance, as usual. The Torrey staff will immunize the first 20 students in the alpha section as appropriate each day. H1N1 immunizations are free, an SLU ID is required.
And, be assured that we continue to work to secure the full order of immunizations. Meanwhile, we remind everyone to that contagious illness comes in waves, and we can minimize the effects of any subsequent waves on campus by following those familiar healthy practices:
*Cough or sneeze into your elbow, or Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
*Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
*Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
November 13, 2009
We’ve had a relatively healthy and quiet week on campus, with about 6 flu-like illnesses each day, far fewer than our daily totals last week. As we mentioned in an earlier communication, flu and other contagious illnesses tend to appear in waves, accelerating to a peak and then declining to a plateau. We have experienced one such wave. Campuses around the nation are reporting at least two waves of illness, and sometimes three waves, with each wave one week to 10 days apart. So, we need to remain attentive to good hygiene and careful health practices to anticipate a healthy week before Thanksgiving Break.
We don’t yet have the H1N1 vaccine shipment we expected by November 2, but we believe we will be able to secure our supplies and tentatively plan a clinic on Wednesday, December 2, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., in Leithead Fieldhouse. We’ll provide details closer to the clinic, but for those who like to plan ahead, we’ll follow the same plan as we had for our first clinic, giving students first priority.
This clinic is for H1N1 only. Unless we advise otherwise, we do not expect to have supplies of seasonal flu vaccines for this clinic.
Again, this is a tentative plan, pending our receipt of vaccines. 8 a.m. - 12 noon: Students only
12 noon - 5 p.m., or until supplies last: Employees, retirees and students.
No family members will be able to receive any vaccine if the overdue supplies we expect arrive, we still hope to have further clinics when subsequent supplies arrive.
*Please enter Leithead Fieldhouse by the Robie Squash Court entrance, where staff will greet you, direct you to registration, and coordinate necessary paperwork. We ask you to walk to the clinic if possible. If not, please park in J Lot for the time you’ll be at the clinic.
November 6, 2009
The rate of new flu cases on campus is slowing down!
The Torrey Health Center will have weekend hours Saturday and Sunday, 12 noon - 4 p.m., and urges students to call if you develop flu symptoms (fever and sore throat or cough) or if you have had the flu and new symptoms develop.
Thanks to everyone for the terrific response to the clinic yesterday. We wish you a safe and healthy weekend.
November 5, 2009
The good news: student response has been tremendous, with lots of cheerful early risers here at Leithead.
H1N1: We have no more supplies of H1N1 vaccine left.
Seasonal: We DO have supplies of the seasonal flu vaccine available.
Students may continue to come for seasonal vaccines until supplies are gone.
Employees and retirees may begin to come at 12 noon for seasonal vaccines.
We WILL have additional clinics as soon as our additional supplies arrive. We'll keep you posted.
November 3, 2009 Status *53 new cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) from Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
*Since Tuesday, October 27, 136 students have been diagnosed with ILI. Many have recovered, some in just a couple of days.
Clinic Update *We have not received the full supplies of H1N1 vaccine or seasonal vaccine that we expected to receive by Monday, November 2.
*We have both mist and shots, and those over 50 year old cannot receive the mist.
*We need to set new priorities. Students are our top priority because they live here, they have no other medical resources and they are under 24 years and at higher risk of infection and complications; we have restructured our clinic as follows:
Thursday, November 5
8 a.m. - 12 noon:
Students only
12 noon - 5 p.m., or until supplies last:
Employees, retirees and students.
No family members will be able to receive any vaccine, we still hope to have further clinics when supplies arrive.
*Please enter Leithead Fieldhouse by the Robie Squash Court entrance, where staff will greet you, direct you to registration, and coordinate necessary paperwork. We ask you to walk to the clinic if possible. If not, please park in J Lot for the time you’ll be at the clinic.
*You will save time by downloading and completing the paperwork found in the upper right of this page.
If you are a minor, please coordinate with your parent or guardian that you can telephone him/her for permission.
*Seasonal flu shot is $20, H1N1 is free.
*We will plan as many clinics as possible to distribute vaccines when we receive them.
*We thank you for understanding the challenge we face due to the unpredictable distribution of the vaccines.
*We also thank you for not asking for exceptions to the clinic date, time or priorities. Our staff is stretched to the limit and we cannot care for our sick and manage vaccinations simultaneously.
Staff Challenges *Torrey staff is stretched, and no medical resources available to us through hospital or public health sources, we hope for students’ patience with the examination schedule, and for faculty and staff patience with the ability to respond to personal requests and advice. Students, if you’re sick, please call x5392 for an appointment (x5555 after hours). You will be seen.
*We also put out a call for any medical personnel among our employee spouses or partners who might volunteer to assist in the Torrey Center. If you know a licensed medical professional who can assist with screening and follow-up of ill students, please email Pat Ellis, pellis@stlawu.eduso she can discuss the options with that person.
****
October 30, 2009
We’d like to provide an update on our acute illness status (flu, respiratory issues such as colds, and stomach viruses) on campus.
Status: Between Tuesday, October 27 and Thursday, October 29, we have had 51 cases of flu diagnosed, and those 51 are among the 240 students who have been seen at the Torrey Health Center for other types of illness. Thursday was a better day than Tuesday and Wednesday, so your good hygiene and care are having a positive effect. Keep it up!
Weekend Plans: The Torrey Health Center will have weekend hours, Saturday 11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., and Sunday, 12 noon -- 4:00 p.m.
Please take care! All of us who are caring for and caring about students ask students to use your very best judgment and sense this weekend to stay healthy. Remember that people can be contagious 24 hours before they show symptoms. We want to reduce the level of illness among our students so you can have a good, and complete, semester.
Questions and Answers: Here are some typical questions we have heard, and we thought everyone should have the answers:
I’m sick…what am I supposed to do? If you’re a student, and you have a fever plus either a sore throat or cough, call the Torrey Health Center at x5392 for an appointment. Students will be asked to stay in their room, and their healthy roommate(s) will be relocated to an isolation space. He/she will receive a "Stay-in-your-Room" toolkit with supplies for 5-7 days, and dining services will provide food delivery. Hospitalization is an option for those students who are too ill to remain on campus. We're advising students who are on campus and recovering to stay in their rooms while they have a fever, and for 24 hours after the fever goes away without the use of a fever-reducer as supplied by the health center.
If you’re an employee, contact your health care provider for advice. You can contact the hospitals and AfterHours Clinics as well, though we have heard from them that they are focusing on acute care based on severity of symptoms.
What if I have to miss a lot of classes? Dean Lehr is communicating with the faculty to ask each person to develop a plan that makes sense for each particular course. It’s each faculty member’s right to establish attendance policies for his or her courses. Health center staff also will provide each student who is diagnosed with the flu a special form to show faculty, after they recover, that lets faculty know the nature of a student's absence.
What if I get sick overnight or this weekend? If you’re a student and you get sick overnight, call x5555 and the Security staff will have an EMT respond, record your symptoms and suggest next steps based on the examination..
The Torrey Health Center will have weekend hours, Saturday 11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., and Sunday, 12 noon -- 4:00 p.m.
Are you giving shots? We have had on-campus clinics for students to receive the vaccine for seasonal flu. As you know, the supply of vaccine for H1N1 has been slow to be distributed, but we had a clinic last week for the most at-risk, and are holding another clinic on Thursday, November 5, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for students and employees only, for both H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines. This clinic will take place if we receive vaccine supplies. We’ll confirm the plan, or let you know if it’s cancelled, so you know for sure.
Will you close the University? Our goal is to remain open, to prevent illness as much as possible, to monitor levels of illness, to treat ill students effectively if they remain on campus, and to consider closing only if the numbers of ill employees and students become so large that safe and effective campus operations are compromised. Employee illnesses are very few, thankfully, so we are fully functioning.
****
October 28, 2009
To: SLU Students
From: Dean Tolliver
You know that we began to experience a surge of flu and other illnesses starting yesterday. The first step in managing an outbreak is the cancellation of optional social gatherings where students might become infected. Therefore, I am canceling these planned social events:
Java Show - Roots of Creation
Harry Potter Movie - Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
First Year Council & Sophomore Council Ice Cream Social - Thursday
Class of 2011 Pumpkin Palooza
Greek Council Haunted House
Commons College Haunted House
ACE movie, "Halloween"
Pub 56 Halloween Party
Outing Club Halloween Party
KDS Halloween Party
At this point, all campus services remain open and fully operational. If that changes, I will contact you.
Please, for your sake and everyone who lives and works here, use the best judgment and consideration when you plan your time for the next few days. If you are sick, call the Torrey Health Center to describe your symptoms so they can give you the best advice.
*****
PS: This message followed the memo above: During the course of the last 36 hours, our Health Services has seen 170 newly infected/ sick students, accordingly our current conservative estimate is that about 10% of the SLU student body is sick. [Not all with flu, as Lisa Cania's email stated, but these numbers exclude student visits for such reasons as athletic injuries.] Since humans infected with the H1N1 virus are most contagious during 24 hours before any flu-like symptoms are seen or felt, the health authorities have advised us to attempt to reduce the number of non essential gatherings. We are attempting to do just that. As a result, my decision to cancel all large social events should not be seen as punitive but as preventative or at least as a forestalling measure!
October 28, 2009 Flu Update Contagious illness follows a pattern and “surge” is typical, when a larger number of people become ill at once, and often after a longer period of relative stability. Based on Torrey Health center volume this week, we believe we may be approaching the surge of illness on campus.
Please note: all illness is not flu! We have a lot of colds among us. (Scroll down for symptoms.)
Most important for students: if you have a fever, please call the Torrey Health Center (5392) for an appointment. It helps the medical staff to know your symptoms accurately when you call, so please pick up a thermometer if you don’t have one already. If you need a thermometer, you may get one from Residence Life, Safety and Security or the Torrey Health Center.
For everyone: the Health Center is managing a very high volume of phone calls. To help the staff stay focused on medical care:
We ask students to call the Health Center (5392) if you are sick, and consult the Flu web site if you need information or have general questions but you’re not sick. We ask employees to consult your supervisors or the vice president of your division if you have questions about how to assist students in your classes and offices, and to consult your own health care provider if you yourself feel ill.
October 27, 2009
What: Flu Clinic for H1N1 and Seasonal Flu
When: Thursday, November 5, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Leithead Fieldhouse
Who: SLU Employees and Students
The details: IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ
All students and all employees are invited to a Flu Clinic on Thursday, November 5, 7:00 am. to 5:00 p.m. in Leithead Fieldhouse. This clinic is contingent upon receipt of expected supplies of both the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine. It is safe to receive both shots at the same time. At this time, because of the ways the vaccines are being distributed and following CDC guidelines, we can only offer the vaccine(s) to SLU students and employees. We hope that a subsequent clinic can be held for employee families.
We will confirm the plan for the clinic by noon on Wednesday, November 4.
An SLU ID is required for the clinic. No appointment will be needed, patience will be much appreciated. We will be staffing the for optimal efficiency, but administration of the vaccine may take longer than usual due to paperwork requirements and the need for individualized medical evaluations.
State regulations call for completion of several forms in order to receive the immunization. These consent forms are posted on the Flu Web site, and those who qualify for the immunization should complete the NYS Consent for Participation Formif you are 19 or older, and either Screening and Consent Form - Adults (those 18 and older) or Screening and Consent Form - Minors (those under age 18). Please download and complete these forms and bring them with you to the clinic. Our staff will need to review them with you and witness your signature.
The H1N1 vaccine is free, the seasonal vaccine is $20 per person (cash or check) and students may charge the seasonal vaccine to your SLU account.
Local status:
We have spoken with local hospitals today and they are swamped with flu cases from all the local public schools (not colleges). They are asking us to not send students with flu unless severely ill. The Torrey Health Center staff also is seeing an increase in illness among our students, and ask students to help us help you by phoning with your symptoms defined so we can best advise you.
Here are the sign and symptoms to help you distinguish flu symptoms from other respiratory illnesses like the common cold.
Signs and symptoms
FLU
Cold
Onset
Sudden
Gradual
Fever
Characteristic, high ( over 101oF); lasting 3-4 days
Rare
Cough
Dry; can become severe
Hacking
Muscle aches and pains
Usual; often severe
Slight
Tiredness and weakness
Can last up to 2 to 3 weeks
Very mild
Extreme exhaustion
Early and prominent
Never
Chest discomfort
Common
Mild to moderate
Stuffy nose
Sometimes
Common
Sneezing
Sometimes
Usual
Sore throat
Sometimes
Common
Students: If you have health concerns please call use the chart in this email to describe your symptoms when you call the Health Service (5392). You can also obtain thermometers to check for temperature at the Health Service.
October 19, 2009
We have received our first shipment, of several shipments we expect over the next two months, of the H1N1 vaccine. The shipment is small, so we first must invite those students and employees in highest risk groups for immunization. We are told that shipments will arrive weekly, though we don’t know the quantity of vaccine in each shipment. Each time we receive a shipment, we will evaluate the distribution plans and communicate with you.
Consistent with CDC Guidelines for risk assessment, we are scheduling the first H1N1 Immunization Clinic (October 22 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Torrey Health Center) for the following St. Lawrence students or employees:
Student or employee women who are pregnant;
Students or employees who have official University responsibilities in health care, emergency response or other duties that require physical contact with students, such as our athletic training staff.
Students only who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems; such as diabetes, severe asthma, COPD, splenectomy, heart disease or cancer.
H1N1 immunizations are free of charge.
State regulations call for completion of several forms in order to receive the immunization. These consent forms are posted on the Flu Web site, and those who qualify for the immunization should complete the NYS Consent for Participation Formif you are 19 or older, and either Screening and Consent Form - Adults (those 18 and older) or Screening and Consent Form - Minors (those under age 18). Please download and complete these forms and bring them with you to the clinic. Our staff will need to review then with you and witness your signature.
September 30, 2009 Students and employees continue to do a great job minimizing our experience with the H1N1 virus. To date, we have had 30 student Influenza-like Illness (ILI) cases, and 4 students are ill right at the moment. Your vigilance and care are really the key to our relatively few cases compared with many colleges across the nation.
ILI cases have moved from the Southwest, to the Midwest, mid-Atlantic, and most recently, the Northeast, so we could begin to see more cases in October. The Emergency Planning Team urges your continued attention to good hygiene as essential and effective ways to avoid becoming ill. Keep washing your hands and using Purell (or similar sanitizer) often!
New York State will begin to receive its supplies of the H1N1 vaccines very soon, and the first batch of the St. Lawrence supply should be here sometime in October. (Supplies come in batches, not all at once.) The first vaccine to be deemed safe and ready is the nasal mist, and that can be given to healthy people under 50. Further, guidelines are to give the vaccine first to those who have never been exposed to H1N1 (those under 50). (Those age 50 and over have been exposed to some form of H1N1 at some point in our lives.) Hence, our first clinic will be for healthy students. Subsequent clinics will be sponsored by St. Lawrence County Health Dept for employees and community members.
As soon as we know when the vaccine supplies will be here, we will communicate promptly with more details.
September 17, 2009
As we begin the fourth week of classes at St. Lawrence, we take this moment to update you on our experiences with Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI)
.What is ILI? Medical professionals are using that term to describe the many virus strains that cause flu symptoms. One of those strains is H1N1, the formerly titled "swine" flu. You may be hearing in the media about confirmed cases of flu caused by H1N1, and one of our messages to you relates to New York State health protocols. New York State Department of Health is not testing for the specific strain of virus that is causing flu symptoms. Last spring, when “swine flu” began to circulate, State health officials were testing for H1N1 to see where that strain was migrating. By June, the strain was in every nation. Now the state’s focus is on prevention and care.
St. Lawrence Experiences Our experiences have been kept to a small percentage of our student body. To date, we have had 22 “flu-like” cases, or less than 1% of our student population. Of these 22, 15 students are fully recovered and seven students are in recovery.
Torrey Health Center Protocol for Students The Health Center staff follows Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to rule out other illnesses that may cause similar symptoms, and then determines the likelihood that the illness is ILI. If it is likely ILI, the staff follow a particular protocol. Students: What to expect if you or your roommate have flu symptoms Symptoms: Fever of 100 degrees and cough or sore throat? Go to Torrey Health Center!
1.
Torrey Staff will rule out any other illness.
2.
If you’re ill, you’ll be advised to go home if you can, or stay in your room until your fever has gone away on its own for 24 hours. You’ll receive a free “Flu Tool Kit” of supplies to help you recover and information you need to get better as soon as possible. You’ll have meals delivered daily by Dining Services and Torrey staff and Residence Life will phone daily to check on your recovery. Please note: St. Lawrence’s Health Center is like a doctor’s office or Urgent Care Center. If you need fulltime care, you’ll be directed to the hospital. St. Lawrence does not operate an infirmary.
If you’re the roommate, you’ll be contacted by Residence Life and offered another space to live while your roommate is recovering. We encourage you to take us up on that offer!
a.
That space may be on campus or within a few minutes of campus, depending on availability.
b.
Security and Safety will provide transportation to and from campus on a regular schedule.
c.
You may have been exposed to the flu virus, but you may not become ill! Practice good hygiene such as washing your hands and using sanitizers.
4.
When both roommates are well, Residence Life will notify that you can return to normal.
What are the signs that the flu is developing more serious complications?
Seek medical care if:
·
Fever is over 101o and lasts for 5 or more days
·
Severe headache
·
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
·
Abdominal Pain
·
Stiff neck (unable to flex neck to chest)
·
Ear or facial pain
·
Sore throat so severe that swallowing is impaired or creating an inability to open mouth fully
·
Confusion or any change in level of consciousness
·
Severe or persistent vomiting
·
Diarrhea that is bloody
·
Flu-like symptoms improved but then return with fever and worse cough
What happens when a student misses classes because of ILI? Students with ILI will be given a form by the Health Center to present to faculty after recovering, and the Dean of Academic Affairs has asked faculty to consider modifications to attendance policies for those students.
Will St. Lawrence be providing immunizations? Yes, St. Lawrence has been selected as a point of distribution for the H1N1 immunization. This means all students, employees and employees’ families will be able to receive the H1NI immunization free of charge, we hope in mid-October. The seasonal flu immunization will also be offered, with its usual $20 fee, and everyone should plan to receive both the H1N1 and the seasonal flu shot.
September 2, 2009
I have recently received numerous inquiries about the schedule for flu vaccination clinics for the students, faculty and staff. Here's the latest information.
There will be two strains of flu circulating this flu season, seasonal and H1N1. They require separate vaccinations. The seasonal flu vaccination clinics will be held as soon as we receive our seasonal flu vaccine. We have already received a partial shipment and will be holding a clinic for students this Monday. When we receive the rest of our shipment, we will notify the SLU community and schedule a faculty/staff flu clinic. We have ordered extra seasonal flu vaccinations this year anticipating increased utilization of our flu vaccine clinics. The seasonal flu vaccine will, as always, require a fee of $20 per person.
We will also offer the H1N1 vaccination when it is available. It is anticipated that it will be a two shot series. The New York State Health Department has not notified us of the vaccine distribution schedule yet but we will let you know when we are notified. We will be offering this vaccination free of charge.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation in this process.
Pat Ellis
Director of the Torrey Health and Counseling Center
September 1, 2009
Our team offers a brief update on the status of influenza-like illness (ILI) on campus, and we also offer our thanks for your care, caution and consideration.
The news has been full of stories about hundreds of ILI cases at larger universities. But you’re helping us keep cases to a minimum by hand washing, covering coughs and vigilance. Thank you!
Since all students returned last week, we have had just four student cases of ILI. Recall that New York State is doing no testing, so we cannot know for sure if someone has the H1N1 virus. The Health Center staff follows Centers for Disease Control guidelines to rule out other illnesses that may cause similar symptoms, and then determines the likelihood that the illness is ILI.
As we’ve mentioned, students with ILI will be advised to stay in their rooms for recovery, and so we can better maintain the health of fellow students, faculty and staff. If ill students have a roommate, the healthy roommate will be offered an alternative space for the 4-7 days that it usually takes for someone to recover. This procedure is completely consistent with CDC guidelines. Students with ILI will be given a form by the Health Center to present to faculty after recovering, and the Dean of Academic Affairs has asked faculty to consider modifications to attendance policies for those students.
The Flu Web site has been updated with a Question and Answer section and links to the latest CDC information about the H1N1 immunization (they’re still not certain when it will be available.) We do plan seasonal flu vaccine clinics in September, and remind you that you should receive both the seasonal flu shot and the H1NI shots when they’re ready.
Reminders: Staying Healthy *Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
*Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
*Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
*Use your own pens to sign credit card receipts.
We’ll keep everyone updated.
The Emergency Planning Team
August 22, 2009
Faculty and Teaching Staff Colleagues:
My experience at SLU suggests that as a group we have two characteristics that generally promote excellence in teaching and learning: we are dedicated to our students and believe that our own attendance at class models our sense of responsibility and priority. Many of us have student attendance policies to be clear about our expectations. If we in fact have an outbreak of H1N1, what are generally positive characteristics could be very dangerous. As the memo sent to the community last week indicates, if you have flu symptoms, please stay home until one day after your untreated fever subsides. Do not take a fever-reducing medication and try to make it through class. Similarly, if student(s), upon returning to class after being absent, present you with a Torrey Health Center form indicating the absence was due to the flu, please consider modifications to your attendance policy for those students. If you have students in class who look sick, please ask them to leave class and go to the health center.
When the vaccination is available, you and your family will be able to get it on campus. If you feel ill and have not yet located a physician, please remember that the Canton-Potsdam Hospital has an AfterHours Clinic in the EJ Noble Medical Building. They are open from 4:00-9:00 pm Monday to Friday, with longer hours on the weekend. The Hospital website can also help you to locate a physician.
Valerie Lehr
Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs
August 20, 2009
St. Lawrence Community:
As continuing faculty, staff and students know, and new colleagues and students will want to know,
St. Lawrence has a permanent Emergency Planning Team (EPT) that has worked together for over three years, and has placed the University in a strong position to anticipate and manage the wide variety of contingencies that happen in the life of any community. I have read the reports of the EPT from past years, and their summer update to manage the potential for large-scale incidence of H1N1 flu on campus. Even as their plans are evolving, I want you to know as much as I know, and I will maintain our communication throughout the semester.
My communications will be e-mailed and posted here.
Status of H1N1 Worldwide The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide regular status reports and guidelines and our EPT follows those advisories carefully. On June 11, WHO declared that a pandemic is under way. “Pandemic” reflects the worldwide spread of the H1N1 virus, not the severity of the illness that it causes. Therefore, we at St. Lawrence must assume that H1N1 is among us already, and our work will be to prevent infection and treat illness if or when it occurs. Note that New York State is no longer testing for the H1N1 virus, so we will never know exactly which strain of the virus exists if an employee or student becomes ill with flu symptoms.
SLU Situation Based on the CDC guidelines below, the St. Lawrence plan is outlined below:
Prevention: The first level of response at St. Lawrence will be to prevent illness. Our campus has been selected as a point of distribution for the H1N1 immunization. This means all students, employees and employees’ families will be able to receive the immunization series free of charge. The H1N1 immunization is a two-injection series, but at this time health officials are not certain when it will be available. The seasonal flu immunization will also be offered, and everyone should plan to receive both the H1N1 series and the seasonal flu shot. When the flu clinics are planned, we’ll urge 100% participation.
Health Care Protocols If the H1N1 immunization is not available until late into the semester, we will certainly experience some level of flu illness this fall. Our Web site will have a Flu Care Tool Kit, and we’ll send the link as soon as it’s ready. Here’s what we need you to know right away:
Students:
If you feel ill with flu symptoms, we ask you to call the Torrey Health Center so they can schedule you for a personal examination as soon as possible. Torrey staff is working on plans for extended hours, and they’ll keep you posted about options. Staff will not diagnose over the phone, as fever is indicative of many illnesses. Students presenting with a fever to Torrey Health Center will be masked and isolated in the conference room.
If a student reports with symptoms that are likely flu and not likely another illness, we hope that the student and his or her family will arrange for the student to go home (provided the student lives within driving distance to campus and the family can provide transportation)until the fever abates, plus one day. If the student cannot go home and the student can recover on campus, the student will be returned to his/her room, and his/her healthy roommate will be relocated to an isolation space. This, too, is consistent with CDC guidelines. Dining services will provide food delivery to ill students. Hospitalization is an option for those students who are too ill to remain on campus.
The Emergency Team is working on plans for isolation spaces that provide appropriate privacy for the healthy roommate, allowing him or her to maintain regular schedule and stay healthy. Here I expect I’ll see evidence of compassion and flexibility that I know to be at the heart of the Laurentian community.
There are health conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, that pose greater risks for people if they become ill with the H1N1 flu. If students with such conditions become ill, our protocols will be customized for the students’ particular needs.
Students Studying Off Campus
Each abroad program has unique arrangements with in-country medical care. The Center for International and Intercultural Education staff and our Torrey Health Center staff are working together to make sure the arrangements in each nation are appropriate, both for access to the flu shots and for medical care if students become ill. Students enrolled in the Adirondack Semester will be transported to campus or to the nearest immunization clinic. Students enrolled in the Washington, DC program at American University will have access to American University’s clinics and resources.
Athletics We will continue with our schedule of athletic contests, home and away, unless the situation changes dramatically or the NCAA advises otherwise. Our athletics staff and Torrey Health Center staff are working together to define and/or revise health protocols for athletes, both for prevention and care.
Absenteeism Our CAs will be especially helpful in monitoring the health of our students; we’ll be asking them to do regular “health checks” to make sure we know of illnesses of students who do not report to the Health Center.
Employees:
The Emergency Team stresses that employees with flu symptoms should consult your personal health care provider and stay home until your fever has gone away without using over-the-counter fever reducers, plus one day. (So if you have no fever on a Wednesday, stay home Thursday and return to work Friday.) Normally, employee absenteeism is monitored within each department, but because we have the potential for larger numbers and we want to make sure we can maintain University operations safely and effectively, we will be exploring options that allow for improved trend observations as we maintain all appropriate privacy protocols.
Flu Symptoms Basic level: fever of 100 degrees or higher andcough or sore throat.
Staying Healthy
*Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
*Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. We installed many more Purell dispensers throughout campus last spring.
*Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
*Use your own pens to sign credit card receipts.
Relevant CDC Guidelines
Students, faculty or staff who live either on or off campus and who have flu symptoms (detailed below) should self-isolate (i.e., stay away from others) in their dorm room or home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities (their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). They should keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.
If persons with flu symptoms must leave their home or room (for example, to seek medical care or other necessities) they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. A surgical loose-fitting mask can be helpful for persons who have access to these, but a tissue or other covering is appropriate as well. (See Interim Guidance for H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home).
Roommates, household members, or those caring for an ill person should follow guidance developed for caring for sick persons at home. (See Interim Guidance for H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home).
Persons who are at high risk of complications from H1N1 infection (for example, persons with certain chronic medical conditions, children less than 5 years, persons 65 years or older, and pregnant women) should consider their risk of exposure to this new strain of influenza if they attend public gatherings in communities where flu is circulating.
I've heard this is a pandemic. What does that mean? A pandemic occurs when a disease spreads rapidly between people all over the world. Pandemic flu would be an influenza (flu) that has spread around the world.
How does it happen? The swift spread of a pandemic flu happens because people are not immune to the new flu virus, and an effective vaccine would take months to develop.
In 1918, 1957, and 1968 the flu season in the U.S. was especially severe, and resulted in a much higher number of illnesses and deaths. Pandemic refers to the distribution of the illness, not its severity.
Are pandemic flu, avian flu, swine flu and H1N1 flu the same thing?
Pandemic flu is not a type of flu but is the way the flu spreads. The avian flu (H5N1or bird flu)in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe may be spread to people who directly handle infected birds or bird waste, but currently can’t be spread easily from person to person. However, this virus could change allowing people to pass it to each other. Swine flu is properly titled H1N1 to label the viral strains.
Don’t people get the flu every year?
The flu we get each year is called “seasonal” flu. Although the virus changes slightly from year to year, it is always a version of the flu from recent years so most of us have build-up some immunity or tolerance to it.
Do you expect a widespread outbreak?
The World Health Organization declared H1N1 as a pandemic event in June 2009. We must assume that H1N1 is among us already, and our work will be to prevent infection and treat illness if or when it occurs. Because college students live in close proximity, they are among the populations who may be more susceptible. Note that New York State is no longer testing for the H1N1 virus, so we will never know exactly which strain of the virus exists if an employee or student becomes ill with flu symptoms.
Will the vaccine be available to students, faculty and staff?
We don't know. Burt when it is available. St. Lawrence will be a center for distribution for all students, employees and employee families.
What is the incubation period after an exposure?
The incubation period is up to 7 days after exposure.
How long is someone contagious?
Someone is contagious
24 hours after temperature returns to normal.
What happens if I get it?
The symptoms of flu are:
Sudden onset of illness Fever higher than 100.4 degree Fahrenheit
Chills Cough
Headache Sore throat
Stuffy nose Muscle aches
Feeling of weakness Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and/or exhaustion
If students have these symptoms, contact the Torrey Health Center, 229-5392, to arrange a personal appointment for diagnosis. Call Security and Safety (229-5555 after hours and on weekends)
Students presenting with a fever to Torrey Health Center will be masked and isolated in the conference room.
If a student reports with symptoms that are likely flu and not likely another illness, we hope that the student and his or her family will arrange for the student to go home (provided the student lives within driving distance to campus and the family can provide transportation) until the fever abates, plus one day.
If you're an employee, please contact your health care provider, or visit the AfterHours clinic at the E.J. Noble Medical Center adjacent to campus, or the emergency room of your local hospital. Employees who become ill with the flu should stay home until their fever is gone for 24 hours, without the aid of a fever-reducing medicine.
What if I get sick and can't go home?
If you cannot go home and can recover on campus, you'll be returned to your room, and your healthy roommate will be relocated to an isolation space. You'll receive a "Stay-in-your-Room" toolkit with supplies for 5-7 days, and dining services will provide food delivery. Hospitalization is an option for those students who are too ill to remain on campus.
If you're on campus and recovering, stay in your room while you have a fever, and for 24 hour after your fever goes away and you have not been taking a fever-reducer as supplied by the Health Center.
Will you close the University if there is an outbreak?
Our goal will be to remain open, to prevent illness as much as possible, to monitor levels of illness, to treat ill students effectively if they remain on campus, and to consider closing only if the numbers become so large that safe and effective campus operations are compromised.
How does someone know if they have H1N1?
If you have flu symptoms, contact the Torrey Health Center, 229-5392, or Security and Safety (229-5555 after hours and on weekends) to arrange a personal appointment for diagnosis. New York State is no longer testing for the specific virus strain.
How can it be prevented?
Washing your hands is the single best preventive measure for everyone
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth without first washing your hands for 20 seconds (sing Happy Birthday twice).
Wash hands before and after using the bathroom.
Wash dirty dishes either in a dishwasher or by hand with warm water and soap. It’s not necessary to separate eating utensils used by a person with influenza.
Laundry can be washed in a standard washing machine with warm or cold water and detergent. It is not necessary to separate soiled linen and laundry used by a person with influenza.
Do not hold or carry the laundry close to your body or face, in order to avoid contamination. Wash hands with soap and water after handling soiled laundry.
Place tissues used by the ill person in a bag and throw it away with other trash. Consider placing a bag at the bedside for this purpose.
Clean counters, surfaces and other areas in the home regularly using everyday cleaning products.
If you get the vaccine, do you have to get a regular flu shot as well?
Yes, the vaccines for H1N1 and the seasonal flu are different.
Will there be enough vaccine for everyone?
We have been assured by federal, state and county health officials that St. lawrence will receive enough vaccines for all students, employees and employee families.
How much will shots cost?
H1N1 vaccines will be free.
When will you start giving the shots?
As soon as the vaccine is available, we're ready to schedule clinics and will announce them immediately.
Are you restricting activities or attendance at large gatherings?
Not at this time, but we ask common sense, caution, and consideration to contain the spread of any contagious illness.
What if I have to miss a lot of classes?
Dean Lehr is communicating with the faculty to ask each person to develop a plan that makes sense for each particular course. The variety of course types on campus is a richness we have, so it negates the possibility of a single response. In addition, the Torrey Health Center staff will provide each student who is diagnosed with the flu a special form that you can show faculty, after you recover, that lets faculty know the nature of your absence. We are asking faculty to be as flexible as they can be as they work to achieve their educational goals.
What should I do if I don't feel well?
If you're a student, please contact the Torrey Health and Counseling Service (229-5392) or after hours contact Security (229-5555). If you're an employee, please contact your health care provider, or visit the AfterHours clinic at the E.J. Noble Medical Center adjacent to campus, or the emergency room of your local hospital. Employees who become ill with the flu should stay home until their fever is gone for 24 hours, without the aid of a fever-reducing medicine.
St. Lawrence has assigned a five-member core team to coordinate planning processes and materials for the University. The team members are:
Lisa Cania, associate vice president for University relations Ted Coviello, director of contracts, compliance and risk management Patricia Ellis, director of health and counseling services Patrick Gagnon, director of security and safety James Mattice, co-CIO of Information Technology
