Update Center

March 16, 2020

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Update

Coronavirus continues to dominate the news and social media, and Thomas Edison State University is taking this health concern seriously. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that Americans should brace for the likelihood that the virus will continue to spread within the United States. View updated CDC information here.

With that in mind, we wanted to provide you with some of the most helpful information and tips available at the moment:

• The New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) has opened a 24/7 hotline (1-800-222-1222) for the public to ask questions about the coronavirus. Note that this number is the Poison Control helpline. The line is staffed by trained healthcare professionals and is available in multiple languages.
   
• DOH’s website also has links to frequently asked questions, facts sheets and additional guidance, including a link to the CDC’s website for additional detailed information.
   
• Take basic steps to prevent respiratory illnesses. Just like the flu, which also causes respiratory illness, the coronavirus is spread through close human contact, such as coughing and sneezing. Since this is respiratory virus season, it is also a good time to practice good health habits, such as covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often throughout the day or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and staying home when sick.

We remain committed to helping our students continue on their educational path. However, if you do become sick for a prolonged period of time, whether with the coronavirus, the flu or other illness, we will do everything possible to help you meet your educational goals. Be sure to contact your academic advisor as soon as possible for support. Any in-person classes and appointments are moved virtually until further notice.

March 16, 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Social-Distancing Information

Key Practices for Prevention of Any Infectious Disease:

• Frequently clean hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (view additional tips from the CDC).
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
• Clean and sanitize your work and home areas.
• Do not go to work or send your child to school if you are sick. The number one way to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses is to stay home if you are sick, even if only experiencing mild symptoms. Anyone with fever should stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.
• Avoid travel to areas where there are outbreaks of COVID-19. You can find up-to-date information on the Center for Disease Control website and New Jersey Department of Health website.

Know How It Spreads

• There is currently no vaccine to prevent Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19).
• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person
• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 ft)
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, these droplets land in the mouth or noses of people nearby or possibly inhaled through the lungs.

If You Have Cold or Virus-Like Symptoms:

• Watch for symptoms: stay home if you have respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath) and/or temperature above 100.4F. Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on previous CoV viruses).
• Cover or shield mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. 
• Do not use bare hands, throw tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• Avoid close contact with others.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
• If you develop warning signs for COVID-19, call your healthcare provider and seek medical care (if coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath) and share recent travel history with healthcare provider.

Practice Social Distancing:

• Social distancing is a practice recommended by public health officials to stop or slow the spread of contagious diseases and is taken to restrict when and where people can gather and involves limiting large groups of people coming together.
• In line with guidance from New Jersey Governor's Office and New Jersey Department of Health, we will implement the following measures, effective immediately:
  • Any in-person classes and appointments are moved virtually until further notice.
  • All gatherings involving 25 people or more are postponed or cancelled.
  • All use of school facilities by outside organizations and all outside vendor partnerships is cancelled.
  • Any student, staff or visitor who is experiencing virus-like symptoms, or who has traveled to Europe or Asia in the past 14 days will not be allowed on school campus or in administrative offices.