Tuesday, September 1, 2009

University of Richmond: suspects four cases of swine flu

August 31, 11:15 a.m. — Steve Allred, provost and vice president for academic affairs, sent an e-mail to staff and faculty, confirming four suspected cases of H1N1 influenza on campus. He also instructed them as to the university’s planned response to a potential outbreak of H1N1 influenza.
Students who contract the virus and live within five hours from campus will be encouraged, but not required, to return home to receive private care. Any student who is unable to return home will be asked to remain in his or her room until 24 hours after his or her fever has subsided.
Those students will be excused from class and will receive meals in their rooms. Roommates will be instructed to practice proper hygiene practices and to wear surgical masks, which will be provided by the Student Health Center following CDC guidelines.
The university has also applied for allotments of the H1N1 vaccine and will communicatate vaccination procedures with students once supplies are received, Allred said.
In the event of a widespread outbreak of H1N1 influenza, university officials plan to enact additional strategies designed restrict the spread of the virus, including implementing distance learning to ensure that sick students remain caught up with class work.
University officials had met last summer to develop an influenza response plan in the event of an outbreak, he said.
By Mary Morgan and Avril Lighty
Collegian Reporters

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