February 28, 2020
To the William Paterson community:
We are committed to providing the William Paterson community with factual information on COVID-19, the respiratory virus which, until a few weeks ago, had been known as the novel coronavirus.
As of February 27, the United States has 60 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There are no confirmed cases of the virus in New Jersey and we have had no suspected cases on campus. The Centers for Disease Control does expect the number of cases to increase across the country as the virus continues to spread around the world but officials continue to stress that the immediate risk of contracting the virus remains low.
William Paterson University has very thorough plans in place to guide us in the event of a public health emergency. We continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with our local and state health departments and other federal agencies for guidance and information.
As a community that celebrates diversity and inclusion, we also want to be supportive, respectful, and inclusive of all members of our community and mindful that health emergencies are not relegated to a certain population or group and may impact us and our families in different ways.
To minimize the spread of any respiratory virus, which includes the flu, we encourage everyone to practice basic preventive hygiene measures. Our Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center recommends the following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Immediately throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Get a flu vaccine if you have not yet done so.
According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever (38ºC/100.4ºF), cough, and shortness of breath. If you have travelled to a region with a known outbreak or believe you have been in contact with someone who might have been infected, please self-isolate (stay home) and notify your local health department. If you are an employee and not feeling well, with symptoms that you believe might be COVID-19, please stay home, consult with your health care provider, and contact the Office of Human Resources at 973-720-2605 to discuss a plan. If you are a student with such symptoms, please contact the Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center at 973-720-2257 for guidance.
If you have an upcoming travel plan, including for spring break or any other vacations, we encourage you to check the Centers for Disease Control website,
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
, for the latest travel guidance prior to your trip as well as upon your return.
The latest information is posted on the Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center website at
wpunj.edu/health-wellness
. If you have additional concerns, you can call the New Jersey Department of Health hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
Miki Cammarata, Vice President for Student Development
Allison Boucher-Jarvis, Vice President for Human Resources
Jill Guzman, Director of Counseling, Health and Wellness Center
