Update on coronavirus response
From: President <President@manchester.edu>
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2020 3:38 PM
To: All Colleagues <AllColleagues@manchester.edu>; NMStudents <NMStudents@manchester.edu>; FWStudents <FWStudents@manchester.edu>
Subject: Update on coronavirus response
Dear MU Community,
As COVID-19 continues to spread across the nation, we have been notified that a University colleague on the North Manchester campus has been in close contact with a person hospitalized with a presumptive-positive case of the virus. The hospitalized individual is awaiting results of a test for COVID-19.
After hearing this news, we sought the advice of Parkview Health and the Indiana Department of Health and are following their guidance. Our employee who might have been exposed has been directed to self-quarantine at home and self-monitor for symptoms. Those who work closely with this colleague have also been advised by those officials to self-monitor for symptoms. The health professionals tell us they are at low risk and are allowed to come to work next week.
We understand that there is, as of this writing, one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Wabash County, but this is not that case.
It was just a matter of time until the pandemic hit closer to home. We won’t notify you of each exposure that happens, but want you to know after this first presumed exposure that our responses will be based on the most current advice of public health officials.
That advice is why we have been proactive in protecting students and colleagues as much as possible through remote teaching and working, and social distancing. In addition, staying home as required by our governor and keeping a distance from others as advised will mitigate your exposure to this virus and, ultimately, it will help save lives.
We should all self-monitor for symptoms and continue to take steps to ensure that we stay as healthy as possible:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Practice social distancing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw it away.
We will continue to monitor the situation daily, following the advice of public health professionals. You can learn more and ask questions at health@manchester.edu.
Take care and be well,
Dave
Dave McFadden
President
Manchester University
260-982-5050