Link: UCOP's e-newsletter

Stay Informed. Stay Connected.

Coronavirus update: What you need to know

Ever since “the coronavirus” — now known as COVID-19 — was detected in China in late 2019, UC has been monitoring the situation closely. The safety of students, faculty and staff is UC’s highest priority, and UCOP is coordinating with every campus, medical center and lab, as well as with state and local Departments of Public Health, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other key groups to protect our communities.

The situation around COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. Directives restricting travel and guidance for responding to common questions from faculty, staff and students that reflect current best practices have already been issued to UC locations. You can see the latest information for UC employees on UCnet.

Senior UCOP leaders and leadership in UCOP Operations are working in alignment with systemwide risk to closely monitor the situation for UCOP locations and quickly develop UCOP-specific plans and communications.

Staying healthy at UCOP

To help prevent the spread of cold, flu and other viruses, remember to wash your hands often. At all UCOP-owned and leased buildings in Oakland, Building Services is monitoring soap dispensers in lavatories and kitchens, and has installed hand sanitizer stations by the elevators or suite entry lobbies on every floor. All conference rooms are being outfitted with hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

Please take the following steps to keep yourself and your colleagues healthy:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the lavoratory; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Do I need to wear a mask? Will UCOP be distributing them to employees?

No. According to the CDC, it is not necessary for people who are healthy to wear facemasks to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others, and by health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). There is a national shortage of these masks and it’s important that front-line health care personnel who must wear them for operations and other sterile procedures can access them. The best way to protect yourself is by following the preventive steps detailed above.

More information about COVID-19, including answers to frequently asked questions and up-to-date travel warnings, can be found on the CDC COVID-19 website.

For questions regarding UCOP’s response to COVID-19, contact UCOP-COVID19-Response@ucop.edu.

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