Syracuse University is closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on study abroad programs, as well as international students. Officials made the decision this week to suspend the academic program in Florence, Italy after infections were reported to the north.
Senior Vice President for International Programs Steven Bennett says their concern was sparked by Italy’s aggressive approach to containment.
“They were restricting travel in and out of affected communities and it became very clear to Syracuse University and to the other study abroad providers in Florence that we were facing a situation where our students might get trapped in Florence and that’s a bad outcome.”
About 220 SU students will not return to campus until after spring break, consistent with the CDC’s 14-day incubation period guideline. He says the university continues to monitor the coronavirus risk near all of its study abroad programs and is prepared for a drawdown if needed. Meanwhile, on campus, Bennett says hundreds of students from mainland China are worried about family and friends at home, including about 50 who are from the epicenter in Wuhan City. He says all of them face a dilemma.
“They’re already thousands of miles from home. They’re already wondering ‘can they go home this summer?’ If they’re graduating, what are they going to do? So the University is actually thinking about that, thinking about creating options for our students from mainland China who may not want to return home, whose parents may not want them to return home.”
Bennett says a team working to keep their visa status, and arrange housing, education, and employment opportunities in Syracuse. Meanwhile, he says SU is launching a prevention campaign that includes hand washing, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.
HOSPITAL PREPARES RESPONSE PLAN
Officials at Upstate Medical Hospital are putting into place procedures to deal with any threats of the Corona Virus should it turn up here. Director of Infectious Diseases Dr. Steven Thomas says not only is there an emergency preparedness plan in place, but the hospital also has extensive expertise. No trace of this virus has shown up in New York yet. But they’re prepared to look for several factors, starting with travel.
“We’re focusing these travel histories on Asia and in the countries that are reporting sustained transmission and more frequent and direct contact with the local department of health and the third thing would be, if it’s appropriate, that we collect the correct samples and so far we’ve been lucky. We have not had any cases of Covid 19.”
He’s concerned that the virus is highly transmittable … and for those infected, the fatality rate is nearing three-point-five percent. Steven says, however that he’s much more concerned at this time with the flu. Thomas is still urging people to get their flu shots for more than just prevention.
"They can make influenza less severe. They can reduce the amount of time that you are able to transmit your flu to somebody else. If you do get sick, they can help prevent you from needing to be admitted to the hospital or ending up in an intensive care unit."
Onondaga County saw 400 new confirmed cases last week. He notes every year the flu kills 35,000 to 40,000 people nationwide. Steven emphasizes the importance of a flu shot, which prevents certain strains but also minimizes the seriousness of the flu if you get it.
