Corona COVID-19 Virus Update 27022020 for Students and Staff at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences

Message from Wittenborg President, Peter Birdsall

There is growing concern about the worldwide spread of the Coronaviris COVID-19 and Wittenborg continues to take these concerns extremely seriously and wishes to ensure all its students and staff that it is monitoring the situation on a day-to-day, and if necessary, on an hour-to-hour basis. As we stated on 02/02 there was a focus on China, at that time and that this might change. The focus has now changed. More than 50 countries worldwide are affected, and today in the Netherlands an infection has been confirmed.

Our student and staff population represents well over 100 nationalities, and now that the Netherlands, and many other countries worldwide have developed outbreaks, many of us, from different countries, will need support and respect and it is important for us to always keep in perspective that when it comes to illness, disease and health; these are a responsibility for all nations and all mankind, and it is our duty to support each-other, keep things in perspective, and especially not be misled by fake-news and rumour.

Once again, many students and staff at Wittenborg will be worried about the well being of loved ones, parents, grandparents and other family members, as well as each other. Let us be shining examples of good global citizens and give our support where needed.

At this moment (27/2/2020) there is one known case of a person infected with COVID-19 in the Netherlands, however the expectation is that this situation could change. Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences follows the recommendations of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, RIVM) and follows the information from comparable institutes abroad. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet declared the outbreak of the virus a pandemic (worldwide epidemic) however this may happen soon. This has no influence on the policy of Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, which is decided on the basis of its international profile. Wittenborg uses information from the Dutch and UK government and the national sites and national health advisories (NHS) in its policy.

Actions for the coming weeks:

In the coming days and weeks our policy will be further adapted to the current situation, however at this time we ask all students and staff to make sure that they are able to fully use all the online functions and facilities that support the university including Office365, Teams, SharePoint and most importantly Moodle Course areas on Wittenborg Online.

At this time, lessons and work at Wittenborg locations will continue as normal, however we wish everyone to take note of the information provided below regarding notifications and hygiene.

NOTE: In any case, all students and staff must be able to carry out their studies and teaching and duties online. All education will be continued online and no study delays will be anticipated. This will require additional effort from all students, teachers and support staff.

Current Policy

Below our current ‘Corona Policy’ is stated however this could be updated as required on a daily basis:

Symptoms of coronavirus

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath

But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness: The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

Call or Email - Call Your Doctor Immediately - also Contact Wittenborg immediately if you've been:

• to Hubei province in China in the last 14 days;
• to Iran, areas of northern Italy in lockdown or "special care zone" areas in South Korea since 19 February;
• to other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath;
• to other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath;
• in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus;

Do not go to a doctor’s surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call your doctor immediately, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

Call Your Doctor Immediately and either call Wittenborg FrontDesk on 088 667 2688 or email support_covid19@wittenborg.eu

How coronavirus is spread

• Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.
• Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.
• It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food. Viruses like coronavirus cannot live outside the body for very long.

How to avoid catching or spreading germs

There are things you can do to help stop viruses like coronavirus spreading.

Do

• it’s not necessary to wear facemasks if you are not in hospital;
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze;
• put used tissues in the bin immediately;
• wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available;
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell;
• avoid events with large numbers of people;

Don't

• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean;

Do I need to avoid public places?

Most people can continue to go to work, school and other public places.

You only need to stay away from public places if you've been:

• to Hubei province in China in the last 14 days;
• to Iran, areas of northern Italy in lockdown or "special care zone" areas in South Korea since 19 February;
• to other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath;
• to other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath;
• in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus;

Treatment for coronavirus

• There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus.
• Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.
• Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness.
• You'll need to stay in isolation away from other people until you've recovered.

Travel restrictions /advice (27/2/2020): 

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences currently strongly advises against all travel to the following countries:

• China;
• Iran;
• Italy;
• South Korea;

 Returning Students and Staff: 

 Many students and staff will have been travelling in the past two weeks due to holidays.

 If you have returned from these specific areas since 19 February, you should immediately call Wittenborg FrontDesk on 088 667 2688 or email support_covid19@wittenborg.eu with your name, student number and telephone number - and stay indoors and avoid contact with other people even if you do not have symptoms:

• Iran
• specific lockdown areas in northern Italy as designated by the Government of Italy
• South Korea
• China

If you have returned from these areas since 19 February and develop symptoms, however mild, you should stay indoors at home and avoid contact with other people immediately and call Wittenborg FrontDesk on 088 667 2688 or email support_covid19@wittenborg.eu. You do not need to follow this advice if you have no symptoms.

• Italy
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Germany

These lists will be updated as required.