Princeton University Self-Quarantines Over 108 People

According to media reports, in response to the 2019-nCoV global outbreak, Princeton University has requested 94 graduate students and 14 undergraduates to self-quarantine, for at least 14 days.

As reported by The Daily Princetonian on February 3, 2020, Michael Hotchkiss, deputy University spokesperson, said in a related statement that a “smaller number” of faculty, post-docs, and staff are also self-quarantined.

Princeton University is currently responding to updated guidance issued by the New Jersey Department of Health on February 3rd, which says individuals who have returned from mainland China in the last 2 weeks are to be evaluated and placed into ‘risk categories.’

Currently, Princeton University Health Services (UHS) is assessing the exposure risk of each student who has self-identified themselves.

Those Individuals assessed to be at ‘low’ risk will no longer be required to self-isolate.

However, individuals assessed to be at ‘medium’ or ‘high’ risk will continue to self-isolate.

In the original TigerAlert on January 31, 2020, Princeton’s UHS issued several recommendations for students and employees, including washing hands often with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and staying home when sick.

To clarify related questions, Princeton published several FAQs for students self-isolating, such as the following:

• How do I get food? Food services will be provided to those students who have chosen to self-isolate.
• Is it safe to share a bathroom with others? You may need to share a bathroom with other students. Please use the disinfectant wipes available to wipe down sink handles, toilet handle and bathroom door fixture after use and before you wash your hands.
• I have been asked to wear a mask by my roommate. Princeton University’s recommendations for surgical masks are consistent with current guidance from the CDC. You should only wear a surgical mask if you have been requested by a clinician at UHS, which will provide masks.
• Is a surgical mask helpful in preventing transmission of coronavirus? Surgical masks are designed to provide the wearer with protection from large droplets or sprays of body fluids. But, they are not designed to capture a large percentage of small particles, which means that they cannot prevent the wearer from breathing in or expelling airborne particles that may be transmitted by talking, coughs or sneezes.

Furthermore, the Department of Health’s updated 2019-Novel Coronavirus guidance also addresses the management of New Jersey-based healthcare workers, employees, and K-12 students who have traveled to China in the past 14 days.

“Outbreaks like this – when a new virus is emerging to infect people – are always concerning,” said New Jersey’s 22nd Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli, R.N., B.S.N, in a press release.

As of 00:30 Beijing Time on February 4, 2020, China had reported 20,471 confirmed cases of the 2019-nCoV virus, with 23,214 suspected cases, and 2,788 severe cases and 426 related fatalities.

“The situation poses a serious public health threat, but the risk to New Jersey residents remains low and our level of preparedness is high.”

“Risk depends on exposure. People exposed to ill persons are at greater risk of infection, for example, healthcare workers and family members caring for anyone confirmed with 2019-CoV.”

“If you haven't traveled and are feeling ill, your symptoms may be related to flu or other respiratory viruses,” Commissioner Persichilli concluded.

The New Jersey guidance is posted on the Department’s novel coronavirus webpage.

In addition, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says human-to-human transmission of this coronavirus has been confirmed.

To further notify the general population of their health risks, the CDC updated a Level 3 Travel Alert on February 3, 2020.

Coronavirus outbreak news is published by Coronavirus Today.com.