COVID-19 Update: Feb. 19, 2020

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am writing to ask for your thoughtful consideration towards the numerous members of our community from China. Many are concerned about the health and safety of family and friends in their home country who are directly impacted by the Coronavirus and associated health emergency. Additionally, reports within higher education are being shared detailing instances of students who have faced questions about their health or whether they might have been exposed to the virus. We want to ensure members of our community do not have similar experiences and feel supported at UC.

Please note that students are entitled to keep their medical information private. We should not assume that a student is sick if she or he is wearing a mask.

I want to assure you that University Health Services continues to work closely with the Ohio Department of Health and Cincinnati Health Department to properly monitor anyone who has recently traveled to China. No cases of actual or suspected Coronavirus have been identified within the UC community. I cannot express how impressed I have been with the prompt, compassionate, and conscientious way Health Services, Housing and other service units have worked with state and local authorities to handle these situations.

For updates regarding the university’s on-ongoing efforts, as well as travel restrictions, please visit the University Health Services website.

Thank you for your help in supporting our students.

Kristi Nelson
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost 

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