ADVICE: Wuhan Novel Coronavirus
Posted on 24 January 2020
Symptoms
Common signs of infection include fever, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties.
The University is aware of the Coronavirus outbreak in parts of China and will pass on information and advice from Public Health England and the World Health Organisation as it becomes available. The following is the current advice for students and staff.
Advice for Travellers from Wuhan
If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days:
- stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses
- telephone the NHS helpline on 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city
- students should also contact the University’s Student Hub by emailing student-hub@york.ac.uk or telephoning +44 (0)1904 324140 and explain your situation
- staff should also contact their department
Please follow this government advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus. If you develop a fever, difficulty breathing or a cough, you should continue to follow the advice above. Please do not leave your home until you have been given advice by a medical professional.
Advice for everyone
Precautionary measures
Advice from Public Health England to reduce exposure to and transmission of the virus include:
- Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing
- Bin the tissue immediately and wash hands
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough
What to do if you think you may have the virus
If you develop symptoms and you have had contact with someone who has recently been in the affected areas of China, you should telephone the NHS 111 helpline.
Travel
The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office has advised against all travel to Wuhan and Hubei Province and advise only essential travel to the rest of mainland China. Chinese authorities have introduced travel restrictions in areas of China.
Public Health England also advises anyone travelling to China to avoid contact with sick people, animals, animal markets and to maintain good hygiene.