Health Reminders and Facts about Coronavirus

To ensure that students, staff and faculty stay healthy and safe, all operations at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University adhere to best practices in disease prevention and take universal precautions, as outlined by experts.

While the novel coronavirus, originating in Wuhan, China, has resulted in only two confirmed cases in the United States as of this writing and the risk to the Embry-Riddle community remains low, everyone is reminded to take common-sense steps to prevent all forms of illness.

No known cases of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) have been reported in Volusia County, Fla., or Yavapai County, Ariz., where Embry-Riddle’s residential campuses are located. University leadership will continue to closely monitor all official health advisories and updates.

Anyone who has traveled to China within the last 14 days and is experiencing any symptoms of illness should seek medical care immediately. Call your doctor’s office in advance to notify them of your recent travel, avoid all contact with others, and practice the illness prevention techniques listed below.

The novel coronavirus can cause symptoms including mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

To avoid the spread of illness, always:

• If you feel sick, do not attend classes or work.
• Contact your medical provider if you have a fever, respiratory distress, and/or flu-like symptoms.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• 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.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow, shirt sleeve, or a tissue (not your hands). Throw used tissues into the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid sharing food, cups, utensils or other items.
• Treat all bodily fluids as potentially infectious.
• Eat a well-balanced diet, get adequate sleep and get a flu shot.

Members of the Embry-Riddle community are strongly discouraged from traveling to China at this time. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has urged travelers to avoid all non-essential travel to the Hubei Province of China, including Wuhan. The U.S. State Department has removed non-essential U.S. personnel and their families from China. Chinese authorities have suspended air and rail travel in the region around Wuhan, and they could put additional travel restrictions into effect with little or no advance notice. At Embry-Riddle, all international university-related travel must be submitted to the International Travel Registry.

Additional preventive guidance from health authorities or other information on the novel coronavirus will be posted to the Embry-Riddle Intranet (ERNIE), and to other platforms such as university social media sites, as appropriate. The World Health Organization and CDC websites are useful resources.

Anyone with questions should call or email Health Services on the Daytona Beach Campus (386-226-7917 / dbhealth@erau.edu), the Wellness Center on the Prescott Campus (928-777-6653 / prwellnesscenter@erau.edu), or their Embry-Riddle Worldwide Campus Director.

Lon Moeller
Senior Vice President for
Academic Affairs and Provost