Mar. 6, 2020 NMC update on COVID-19 (coronavirus) monitoring
Dear NMC students:
Northwestern Michigan College is continuing to monitor the situation involving the COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus) and developing a response in case of an outbreak on campus. While as of today (March 6), there are no confirmed cases in Michigan, NMC is asking students to follow the outlined steps in order to prevent a possible outbreak of the COVID-19 virus on campus. In the event the virus is present in the community, it’s important that you are able to identify symptoms of the virus, noting that most COVID-19 illnesses (80%) are mild in nature. If you are ill, please let your instructor know if you are not able to come to class, and contact NMC Health Services if you are in need of medical support or treatment.
Prevention
- Wash hands with soap and water frequently
- Stay home if sick, especially if a fever is present
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes with unwashed hands
- Stay at least 6 feet away from people who are ill
- Eat healthy foods; avoid alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs
- Get plenty of rest, 8-10 hours’ sleep nightly
Symptoms of COVID-19
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Cough
- Other symptoms may be present in addition to the above including fatigue, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, upset stomach, runny nose or sneezing
Treatment
- Rest
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Use over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and Ibuprofen to manage symptoms like fever and pain
- See your healthcare provider or go to the Emergency Department if breathing issues worsen
NMC will continue to pay close attention to this developing issue, as we would with any infectious disease, to ensure the safety and welfare of our students, faculty, staff and visitors. NMC will continue to closely monitor the outbreak with the assistance and guidance of local, state and federal partners.
Please contact NMC Health Services at 995-1255 or StudentHealthServices@nmc.edu to report an illness. All medical information will remain confidential. Reporting of an illness to Health Services will assist NMC in implementing an informed response.
More information is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
As we approach spring break, the CDC also has guidance and recommendations for travel outside of the country at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices