University releases statement on regarding Coronavirus
By Sam Catanzaro
UCLA officials have released a statement regarding the Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) on campus and at university hospitals and clinics, as the UC system has requested all campuses to avoid all non-essential travel to China.
In a statement sent out on January 31, UCLA officials stated that there are no known cases of the Coronavirus on campus or health centers.
“We also want to reassure you that there are currently no known exposures to 2019-nCoV on our campus or in UCLA Health hospitals and clinics,” reads the joint statement from Dr. Daniel Uslan, Clinical Chief of Infectious Diseases at UCLA Health and Dr. Nancy Holt, Co-Executive Director, Interim at the Arthur Ashe Student Health Center.
The new virus has caused understandable anxiety and concern, particularly in light of the January 30 decision by the U.S. State Department to raise its travel advisory to level 4 for China (Do Not Travel) and as the University of California Office of the President has requested all UC campuses to avoid all non-essential travel to China.
“UCLA campus and health leaders, working in close partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), continue to monitor the situation closely and take measures to ensure the health and safety of the Bruin community,” reads the statement. “We also take this opportunity to remind you that, while the vast majority of the infections have occurred in Wuhan, China, we must not stigmatize anyone in our community based on national origin. Someone who has a cough or a fever does not necessarily have coronavirus.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 11 individuals in the U.S. who have tested positive for the Coronavirus, six of which are in California. According to the CDC, four of the patients in California were recent travelers to Wuhan, China, the outbreak’s epicenter.
