2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
Questions from students; answers from USC Student Health
Updated 2/2/2020
- For patients of USC Student Health: Call 213-740-9355 (WELL)
- For general questions or comments: Call 213-740-6291 or email studenthealth@usc.edu.
- To express concern about the health or well-being of a member of the USC community, contact Trojans Care for Trojans through the online form, or call (213-740-0411)
- For assistance for students, faculty, or staff affected by travel restrictions and having difficulty returning to the United States, contact USC Campus Support and Advocacy (213-740-0411) or email uscsupport@usc.edu.
- For continual updates: https://usc.edu
UPDATED INFORMATION FOR THE USC COMMUNITY
With any novel (new) virus, there are understandably heightened anxieties about the spread of infection and risk to the public. We want to reiterate that the risk to the public in California is low.
有关任何新型（新）病毒，对于感染的传播及对公众的风险都会有高度焦虑，这完全可以理解。我们想要重申，它对加利福尼亚公众的风险不高。
Latency period of the Novel Coronavirus: The current recommendation is 14 days for the monitoring of symptoms from the time of exposure (close contact with a sick person, through respiratory droplets), although the exact period of time when symptoms may appear may be longer. Within that period of time, the infection is communicable (person-to-person) for a much shorter window of time.
新型冠状病毒的潜伏期：当前建议是从接触（与病人密切接触，通过呼吸道飞沫）时间起监控症状14天，虽然症状可能出现的确切时间周期似乎更长。在此期间，感染会在更短的时间内传播（人与人之间）。
Public health officials are actively screening individuals arriving from China. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency and announced travel restrictions and quarantine procedures that 1) foreign nationals who have traveled to China in the past 14 days will be prohibited from entry into the U.S.; and 2) U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and immediate family members of American citizens will be subject to quarantine. The university is committed to providing any support to any faculty, staff or student affected by these restrictions. Please contact USC Campus Support and Intervention at Tel: 213-740-0411 or email uscsupport@usc.edu for assistance.
Note: the section above has been updated as of February 2, 2020 to reflect the announcement of a public health emergency by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and subsequent travel restrictions and quarantine procedures.
Severity and Susceptibility: The Novel Coronavirus appears at this time to be most severe among older individuals and those with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems. For many who have come down with the Novel Coronavirus, including the two cases in California, the symptoms are reported to be mild.
严重性和易感性：目前新型冠状病毒似乎在老年人群和患有潜在系统性疾病或免疫系统有问题的人群中最严重。对于许多感染新型冠状病毒的人，包括加利福尼亚的两例，报告称症状轻微。
Precautions taken at USC: As part of the communicable disease response team, a group of USC experts and responders have been meeting twice daily to share updates and activate necessary processes to safeguard our community. Currently this includes sharing accurate updated information with the community, enhancing cleaning and sanitizing measures at all USC buildings, and being in constant contact with local public health agencies. Campus facilities staff are using appropriate cleaning agents and enhancing cleaning in public areas.
USC采取的预防措施：作为传染性疾病响应团队的组成部分，一组USC专家和响应人员每天碰面两次，交流最新情况，启动必要的流程，以保护我们的社区。目前，这包括与社区分享准确的最新信息，加强所有USC大楼的清洁与卫生措施，与本地公共健康机构不断保持联系。
Overall, the risk to the public remains low, and the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health has said in a statement: This case does not threaten public health; people should not be excluded from activities based on their race, country of origin, or recent travel if they do not have symptoms of respiratory illness.
总之，对公众的风险仍然较低，洛杉矶县公共健康局在一份声明中表示：此病例不对公共健康构成威胁；如果没有呼吸道疾病症状，人们不应因其种族、原住国或最近的旅行而受排挤，使其无法参加活动。
USC Student Health is ready to see any students who have symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath); they should call 213-740-9355, let the scheduler know their condition and make arrangements to be seen by a medical provider. We will update the community if there are any new developments, and we are glad to clear up any misconceptions and answer public health questions.
USC学生健康中心已准备好接诊具有症状（发烧、咳嗽、呼吸短促）的任何学生；他们应拨打213-740-9355，告知调度人员其状况，做出由医疗服务提供方看诊的安排。如有任何新的进展，我们将会告知社区最新
KEY FACTS ABOUT THE CONFIRMED CASES IN CALIFORNIA:
Individuals in Orange County (one) and Los Angeles County (one) in southern California — and individuals in Santa Clara County (two) and San Benito County (two) in northern California — have been confirmed as testing positive with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from the local county public health departments. The following information is also confirmed:
- There is no known connection from affected individuals with USC.
- USC is in regular contact with our local public health officials and will update the community with any new developments.
Note: this section has been updated with information as of Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Answers to frequently asked questions are below; additional helpful information is available at the CDC FAQ website.
How can I know if I might have been in contact with an affected patient?
Local public officials will conduct a “contact tracing” measure with identified patients and proactively contact any individuals who might have had an exposure. They will work with any individuals who may be affected to monitor if any symptoms develop.
What disinfection measures are effective?
Coronaviruses, including the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, are transmitted through respiratory droplets from an infected person (cough, sneezing, close contact). Standard Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved cleaning products and disinfectants are effective in cleaning surfaces.
The university is taking extended measures to ensure a hygienic environment, including regular cleaning of common areas, and refilling of soap and hand sanitizers.
What should I do to prevent the spread of infection?
Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses are commonly spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands. Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing prevents the spread of a virus. Handwashing (with soap and water) for 20 seconds reduces risk of infection. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Avoid close contact with someone who is sick.
How many cases are there in LA? How fast is it spreading?
Please visit the USC homepage for continual updates on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus as it relates to the USC campus community. We expect to see more confirmed U.S. cases in addition to these first confirmed cases as screenings at airport points of entry in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta continue to screen passengers traveling from Wuhan, Hubei province in China.
What measures is USC taking to prevent the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus?
All of us can take measures to protect our community from the spread of illness, primarily through good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes, and reducing contact with others when feeling sick.
As part of the communicable disease response team, a group of USC experts and responders have been meeting twice daily to share updates and activate necessary processes to safeguard our community. Currently this includes sharing accurate updated information with the community, enhancing cleaning and sanitizing measures at all USC buildings, and being in constant contact with local public health agencies. Campus facilities staff are using appropriate cleaning agents and enhancing cleaning in public areas.
USC采取的预防措施：作为传染性疾病响应团队的组成部分，一组USC专家和响应人员每天碰面两次，交流最新情况，启动必要的流程，以保护我们的社区。目前，这包括与社区分享准确的最新信息，加强所有USC大楼的清洁与卫生措施，与本地公共健康机构不断保持联系。
If someone who has recently traveled to Wuhan City is on campus, should they be isolated or held in quarantine?
Any recent traveler from Wuhan or other affected area who has symptoms (fever and respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, cough, or difficulty breathing) should contact Student Health (213-740-9355) and make arrangements to be seen by a medical provider right away. The patient should wear a mask to prevent infection of others through respiratory droplets.
从武汉市或湖北省进入美国的人员如果没有症状，则不会构成健康风险。最近从疫区旅行回来的任何个人均应自行监控症状，如果生病，应致电医疗服务提供方（如果其为USC学生，则应致电USC学生健康中心）。
If there is an infection of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus on campus, will the university isolate the individual?
In the event of a USC student testing positive for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, the patient would receive appropriate medical attention and would be under monitoring of public health officials. Any roommates or suitemates concerned about close contact would be assisted in temporary relocation and any other needed support by the university.
What are the symptoms I should be looking for? Who is most at risk?
Patients with confirmed 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- fever
- cough
- shortness of breath
Many cases appear to be mild. Individuals who are elderly, have weakened immune systems, or have other underlying health conditions appear to be at risk for more severe disease.
I am worried about friends and family in affected areas. What can I do to help?
It’s hard knowing people you care about are in the middle of a very scary situation far away. We know that this has been a difficult time for many members of our Trojan family. Please know we are here for you and encourage you to reach out for support. If you want to meet with a counselor, please call 213-740-9355, or you can join with other international students at a special “Let’s Talk” group in the OIS office, Tuesdays, 1:30-2:30.
You can also help your family back home by letting them know you are taking good care of yourself. The best advice for not getting sick is to practice frequent handwashing and staying out of close contact with people who might be sick. Let them know you are well, and it may comfort and reassure them. As opportunities to assist become available, we will share these with the community.
Does the flu shot prevent the 2019 Novel Coronavirus?
No, the flu shot is formulated to match influenza viruses expected to be circulating in the United States during the 2019-2020 flu season (Los Angeles County is currently seeing a rising number of cases, so please get a flu shot if you have not already done so). The influenza virus is a different genetic makeup from the coronavirus. The coronavirus has many genetic variants, including the “common cold” that generally does not present serious adverse health risks.
Will the school be able to distribute face masks to students? What kinds of masks will be able to prevent the infection?
Patients to Keck Medicine of USC ambulatory care settings, including USC Student Health buildings, are welcome to take a mask from the front lobby as they come in for care. If you do not have access to a mask, any face covering—including a tissue, cotton cloth, or scarf—can help reduce the spread of infections by physically keeping droplets from reaching others. A covering also prevents the casual “habit” of touching your mouth and nose with your hands that many people do without being aware of it.
Does wearing a face mask help me if I am NOT sick?
Wearing face masks routinely is not recommended for people who are not sick. Face masks are effective in preventing droplets from a sick person from infecting others and are used by healthcare providers, family members, and others when caring for or in close contact with a sick person. Handwashing and avoiding touching your face, (eyes, nose, and mouth) are the most effective method of illness prevention.
Will the school be able to distribute hand sanitizer to students?
Hand gel is available in dispensers at locations throughout the campuses and all members of the community are encouraged to use them. Remember that hand gel does not replace handwashing with soap and water; handwashing is a more effective way to reduce the spread of infection.
What should I do if I have a fever or have the symptoms of the flu? Do I need to be isolated?
Individuals who have had recent travel within the last 14 days from affected regions and are experiencing symptoms are advised to make an appointment to see a medical provider. Students can call USC Student Health, 213-740-9355 (WELL); let the scheduler know you think you may have the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. Faculty and staff should contact their regular health care provider. For other illnesses, stay at home to avoid spreading the virus to others until you have been without a fever for 24 hours.
What can I eat and what can’t I eat?
There are no dietary restrictions related to viral infections.
Where can I get the most updated information regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus?
The most updated current information on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus as it presents in the United States will come from the federal public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Any specific local advisories for Los Angeles County would be issued by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and other local public health agencies. New developments will be shared with the university community by USC Student Health via email and on Twitter.