Emergency Notification COVID-19

This Emergency Notification to all OHIO community members on all campuses and remote sites is issued to comply with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and Ohio University policies for compliance with that act.

To all Members of the Ohio University Community:

This is a follow-up to the letter from President Nellis earlier today https://www.ohio.edu/news/2020/03/president-nellis-provides-coronavirus-update in which he shared that a member of our University community tested positive with coronavirus (COVID-19) after returning from a University-sponsored study away program.

In summary, an Ohio University student reported that they began feeling ill while abroad. This individual returned to the United States and self-isolated first in our student’s home community and then at their off-campus house in Athens, during which time, this individual reported having no visits to campus nor contact with other students. Our student was tested for COVID-19 in their home county and was notified of the positive result on Tuesday, March 24. The student self-reported the positive test to the University, which we confirmed with our student’s local public health department this morning.

The welfare and safety of our community during this time is Ohio University’s primary concern. Given what we know about this virus and its spread, it is safe to assume that while this is our first reported case, it will not be our last. It is not our intention to cause panic or to overwhelm you with information.  We continue to work in concert with the guidance and response efforts of the federal government, the state of Ohio and local authorities. This communication provides the required notification related to these events. Ongoing updates regarding OHIO’s actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be posted on www.ohio.edu/coronavirus.

In closing, we will once again take the opportunity to remind our community of important information regarding COVID-19. Even as we are learning and working remotely, remember that to ensure your own well-being and the well-being of others we all must continue to comply with the following health-authority-recommended practices:

• Engage in social distancing of six or more feet.
• Stay home when ill or if other family members are ill.
• Leverage telework options.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Get a flu vaccine.
• Watch for cough, troubled breathing, or other signs of respiratory infection.
• Monitor temperature for a fever above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C).

Please remember, ongoing updates regarding OHIO’s response to COVID-19 will be posted on www.ohio.edu/coronavirus.

Sincerely,

Ken Johnson, D.O., FAAO

Chief Medical Affairs Officer

Ohio University