With coronavirus cases climbing, Penn State community feels global effect
As the spread of the new coronavirus intensifies, the community around Penn State is not immune to the far-reaching effects of the virus.
Over the last month, the number of infected patients rose to 82,550 globally, resulting in 2,810 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins researchers. New coronavirus — named COVID-19 — deaths have now been reported outside mainland China, including in Iran, Italy, South Korea, France and on a Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan.
There are 60 confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S. and no deaths. Penn State has no cases at this time.
In response to some of these recent developments, Hong Kong Ballet announced Monday that it canceled its upcoming tour to the United States. The world-class ballet company was scheduled to perform “Alice (in wonderland)“ at Penn State’s Center for Performing Arts’ Eisenhower Theater April 24.
“As a global cultural ambassador for Hong Kong, the company was really looking forward to performing for our American fans and are disappointed about postponing our April performances,” said Artistic Director Septime Webre in a press release. “However, we understand that the health and safety of our dancers and the general public comes first. We sincerely hope that Hong Kong and the rest of the world will recover soon, and are committed to returning to Virginia, South Carolina and Pennsylvania ... in the coming seasons.”
CPA will refund the original purchase price of tickets to patrons for the April 24 performance.
With Penn State’s spring break scheduled March 8-14, the university sent out a news release Thursday asking students to “take precautions” if they plan to travel.
Dr. Robin Oliver-Veronisi, senior director of Penn State’s University Health Services, said in the release that travelers should wash their hands with soap and water, avoid sharing drinks, use bottled water when possible and maintain good sleep and exercise habits.
Symptoms of coronavirus may include fever, cough and shortness of breath. They may take anywhere from two to 14 days to manifest after exposure. While 33,252 people have recovered from the virus, more serious cases can cause pneumonia, lead to organ failure or death.
While Penn State is monitoring the coronavirus outbreak, Oliver-Veronisi said individuals are unlikely to contract the respiratory illness.
“Today, the risks of contracting the coronavirus are low,” she said. “In addition, there are travel restrictions in place by Penn State, and the U.S. Department of State declared a Level 4 Travel Advisory for China.”
Penn State has restricted university-affiliated travel to China for students since Jan. 30 and is asking faculty and staff to reassess any travel plans to China until after the outbreak is under control. The State Department’s Level 4 travel advisory discourages all travel to China, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Level 3 warning that recommends travelers avoid “nonessential” travel to China.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine also announced Wednesday ramped up efforts on the part of the Wolf administration to monitor and prepare for the spread of the coronavirus.
“Since the start of this outbreak, we’ve taken a proactive approach to prepare and carefully monitor potential cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania,” Levine said in a press release. “As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised today, we need to be prepared for community spread of COVID-19. We are working to make sure our health systems, first responders and county and municipal health departments have the resources they need to respond.”
The Wolf administration has activated the Department of Health’s Emergency Operations Center to coordinate coronavirus reponses, communicated with federal, state and local partners, monitored symptoms for residents coming from China to Pennsylvania, provided precautionary information to health care professionals, businesses and educational institutions and reviewed and adapted pandemic flu plans for COVID-19.
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