The message below was emailed to the Bryn Mawr College community on Jan. 28, 2020, from Dean Jennifer Walters and Medical Director Madeline Danny, M.D.
Dear Bryn Mawr Community,
The College is closely monitoring the situation involving the 2019 novel coronavirus that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. At the time of this communication, five cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the United States.
Bryn Mawr College has protocols and plans in place related to the spread of contagious diseases, and we appreciate your participation in our efforts to ensure the well-being of all members of our community. We will continue to work closely with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health as we monitor developments related to this virus. We currently have no reported or suspected cases on our campus or at Haverford. We are communicating with Haverford given the frequency and volume of student contact across our campuses.
We have reached out to students whom we know or believe to have been in China over the winter break. Information is available on the Bryn Mawr College Health Center website about this virus and precautions you should take to prevent infection. As additional information about travel restrictions and affected areas becomes available, we will remain in contact with those who may need assistance from the College. Faculty and staff who have recently traveled to affected areas and/or are experiencing symptoms should contact their own healthcare providers immediately for advice and treatment.
As with many illnesses, good respiratory hygiene, frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer, and covering coughs and sneezes can help keep you and others healthy. Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and may appear up to 14 days following exposure. For more information, please visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
Again, if any member of our community is experiencing health concerns, they should seek medical assistance. Students should go to our Health Center; staff and faculty to their own providers. We will continue to keep the community informed as needed.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Walters
Dean of the Undergraduate College
Madeline Danny, M.D.
Medical Director, Bryn Mawr College Health Center