Feb 10, 2020

Dear Community,

We write to share with you the latest information for returning travelers from China, and UCI resources to help navigate specific concerns or questions.
As you may be following in the news this week, there have been updates to federal guidelines provided by the Department of Health & Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control. The guideline below is effective for travelers who have returned to the U.S. on or after Feb. 2, 2020.

If you have specific questions about your recent travel situation, students, staff and faculty may reach out to campus advisors who are available to help you navigate your specific situation.

  • Students may call the Student Health Center at 949-824-5301.
  • Staff and faculty may email or call the Employee Experience Center at eec@uci.edu or 949-824-0500.

We continue to work with the Orange County Health Care Agency and medical center leadership to evaluate the situation in Orange County, and we will share updates when available.

Please remember to stay healthy by washing your hands with soap and water frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep.

Thank you for your cooperation in protecting the UCI community.

Enrique J. Lavernia, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Distinguished Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Albert S. Chang, MD, MPH
Medical Director, UCI Student Health Center

Recently Returned Travelers from China
If you are a STUDENT, were in China in the last 14 days, and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should:

  • Contact the Student Health Center (SHC) at 949-824-5301 to ask for instructions.
    • Tell them your symptoms.
    • Tell them that you were in China.
    • If you can’t reach the Student Health Center, call ahead before going to urgent care/emergency room.
  • You may be contacted by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), and they may provide you with additional instructions.
  • Labs may be drawn and you will be asked to stay home and monitor your health for 14-days, during which time you should:
    • Avoid contact with others.
    • Do NOT travel while sick.
    • Take good care to remain healthy.
  • Notify Disability Services Center at dsc@uci.edu or 949-824-7494 to inform them of your situation.
  • Once cleared by OCHCA or SHC, you may return to normal activity.

If you are a STUDENT and were in China in the last 14 days and are NOT feeling sick, you should:

  • Contact the Student Health Center at 949-824-5301 to ask for instructions. Tell them you were in China, but not exhibiting any symptoms.
  • Notify Disability Services Center at dsc@uci.edu or 949-824-7494 to inform them of your situation.
  • Stay home and monitor your health within this 14-day period.
    • Take your temperature with a thermometer 2 times a day and watch your health.
  • If you develop a fever (100.4F/38C), cough, difficulty breathing or other symptoms:
    • Call the Student Health Center for advice before seeking care.
    • Tell them your symptoms and that you were in China.
    • If you can’t reach SHC, call ahead before going to urgent care/emergency room.
  • You will be contacted regularly by SHC nursing.
  • Once the 14 days have completed, you may return to normal activity.

If you are STAFF/FACULTY, were in China in the last 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should:

  • Contact the Employee Experience Center at eec@uci.edu or 949-824-0500 to ask for instructions.
    • Tell them your symptoms.
    • Tell them that you were in China.
    • Contact your health care provider. If you can’t reach your health care provider call ahead before going to urgent care/emergency room.
  • Labs may be drawn and you will be asked to stay home and monitor your health for 14-days.
    • Avoid contact with others.
    • Do NOT travel while sick.
    • Take good care to remain healthy.
  • Notify your supervisor or dean to inform them of your situation.
  • Once cleared by OCHCA or your provider, you may return to work.
    • You will need to provide a note from either your provider or OCHCA.

If you are STAFF/FACULTY, and were in China in the last 14 days and are NOT feeling sick, you should:

  • Contact the Employee Experience Center at eec@uci.edu or 949-824-0500 to ask for instructions.
    • Tell them you were in China, but not exhibiting any symptoms.
  • Notify your supervisor or dean to inform them of your situation.
  • Stay home and monitor your health within this 14-day period.
  • Take your temperature with a thermometer 2 times a day and watch your health.
  • If you develop a fever (100.4F/38C), cough, difficulty breathing or other symptoms:
    • Call your health care provider for advice before seeking care.
    • Tell them your symptoms and that you were in China.
    • If you can’t reach your health care provider, call ahead before going to urgent care/emergency room.
  • Once the 14 days have completed and you continue to have no symptoms, you may return to work.

More:

CDC: What to do if you are sick with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)