With Arcadia’s spring break a week away, and with University community members presumably planning to travel home or to places around the world, it is important for University community members to take responsibility to maintain their health and the wellbeing of our community. 

Educate yourself: Learn about the coronavirus by keeping up with the information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Arcadia’s Student Health and Wellness webpage. Arcadia will continue to update our website with relevant information and links at Arcadia’s COVID-19.

14-day monitoring period: For the health and safety of all University community members, and in line with guidance from the CDC, Arcadia is requiring a 14 day self-quarantine period for travelers returning to the U.S. from CDC Level 3 countries (China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea, as of March 6). Students, faculty, and staff who travel to one of these countries are urged to self-quarantine in their place of dwelling away from campus while monitoring for signs and symptoms of illness. Accessing campus will not be permitted until the completion of your 14-day self-quarantine. Contact Residence Life (housing@arcadia.edu) after your 14-day self-quarantine period if you are interested in securing University housing. 

Self-monitor: While there are no requirements from the University or from the CDC for travelers returning from countries that do not have a CDC Warning Level 3, all travelers, domestic and international, are encouraged to self-monitor their health for 14 days after travel and to contact their health care provider in the event of symptoms.  

If you have traveled during the past 14 days and feel sick with fever or cough or have difficulty breathing, seek medical advice. Tell your medical care provider about your recent travel and your symptoms. You should avoid contact with others and limit travel on public transportation to keep the risk of secondary transmission at its lowest.

Take your temperature two times a day, in the morning and evening, record on the self-monitoring log, and avoid contact with others. Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing, and clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 to 95 percent alcohol immediately after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.

Prevention: Prevention is the best way to limit the spread of disease. If you find that you are not feeling well after returning, then please seek medical care as described. Otherwise, self-monitor yourself for the specified time so that if you do become ill, the risk of spreading your illness to others is minimal.

Additional information: The CDC established a website for up-to-date information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. If you have specific medical questions about coronavirus and your health, contact Student Health Services (215-572-2966, shs@arcadia.edu). University-sponsored travelers should consult with Dan Devery, Travel Health and Safety manager (deveryd@arcadia.edu).

Sincerely,

Theresa Smith, MSN, CRNP
Student Health Services 
Heinz Hall, Ground Floor
215-572-2966
shs@arcadia.edu