Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): The Latest

While there are no known cases of COVID-19 in Ohio at this time, the University of Cincinnati has temporary travel restrictions as well as travel reporting requirements that impact members of our campus community and campus visitors. These restrictions and reporting requirements are in place out of care and concern for all members of our campus community and the safeguarding of public health.

In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of State, UC is temporarily restricting university-sponsored or university-funded travel to all countries for which the CDC has issued Level 3 Travel Health Notices to avoid nonessential travel. These restrictions on faculty, staff and students are in place at least through Friday, March 27. The countries currently included in these restrictions are

• China
• Italy
• Iran
• South Korea
  

We will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC and DOS, and will share plans prior to March 27 to either end the restriction on that date or, if needed, extend them.  Please continue to visit this site for updates.

For personal travel, we strongly advise all students, faculty and staff to follow travel alerts from the CDC and DOS.

We now require that students, faculty and staff and all visitors traveling from CDC designated Level 3 countries – China, Italy, Iran and South Korea – to report to UHSTravel@ucmail.uc.edu under the following circumstances:

• If you have returned from or traveled from China, Italy, Iran or South Korea in the last 14 days, please immediately report to UHSTravel@ucmail.uc.edu.
• If you have returned from or traveled from one of these countries in the past 14 days AND you have a fever as well as respiratory symptoms including cough and shortness of breath, please immediately report your symptoms to UHSTravel@ucmail.uc.edu and go directly to the nearest emergency room. UHS will check in with you after the emergency room visit to provide additional guidance and support.
• If you have had contact with anyone who has been confirmed by laboratory testing to have 2019n-CoV or anyone who is currently being tested, you are required to report to UHS via the UHSTravel@ucmail.uc.edu email account.
• If you are being actively monitored or observed by any local, county, state or federal public health agency due to risk of Coronavirus, please report immediately.

From CDC, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Prevention and Treatment  

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  

Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.

• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
  

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  

For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website

For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses.

Please read the above information, links and other navigation on this page. Also, visit the University Health Services web site. If you still have questions after reviewing the available information, please e-mail publichealth@uc.edu