Coronavirus: What you need to know

Updated: February 28, 2020

Please note that the CDC has raised their alert designation for Italy to a Level 3 (the highest level possible), and the U.S. Department of State raised the Travel Advisory to a Level 3: Reconsider Travel. These changes in levels have prompted a change in the University's travel policy. 

Current University policy prohibits any undergraduate student travel to China, South Korea and Italy. Additionally, all graduate student and employee travel to China, South Korea and Italy is prohibited without approval from the International Travel Committee before departure. If you are a DU graduate student or an employee who is planning to travel to China, South Korea or Italy for essential, university-related purposes in the coming weeks, please notify DU’s International Travel Risk Analyst of your travel plans immediately. The reference to China applies to mainland China with the exception of the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

Updated: February 25, 2020

On February 24th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Warning Level 3: Avoid Nonessential Travel for South Korea due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which prompts a change in the University’s travel policy.

Current University policy prohibits any undergraduate student travel to China and South Korea. Additionally, all graduate student and employee travel to China and South Korea is prohibited without approval from the International Travel Committee before departure. If you are a DU graduate student or an employee who is planning to travel to China or South Korea for essential, university-related purposes in the coming weeks, please notify DU’s International Travel Risk Analyst of your travel plans immediately. The reference to China applies to mainland China with the exception of the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

Situations like these serve as an excellent reminder as to why the University requires all student and employee academic and business-related travel to be registered in DU Passport (student platform) and Pioneer Travel and Expense (DU employee platform). While the University does not monitor personal travel, we strongly encourage all community members to consider the impact of the outbreak on personal travel.

Given the fluid nature of the situation, it is recommended that you check the University’s higher-risk destination list regularly for a current listing of restricted travel.

Please contact Enterprise Risk Management if you have any questions about current or future travel. Questions related to health or healthcare should be directed to medical professionals.

Updated: January 31, 2020

Current University policy prohibits any undergraduate student travel to China. Additionally, all graduate student and employee travel to China is prohibited without approval from the International Travel Committee before departure. If you are a DU graduate student or an employee who is planning to travel to China for essential, university-related purposes in the coming weeks, please notify DU’s International Travel Risk Analyst of your travel plans immediately. Given the fluid nature of the situation, it is recommended that you check the University’s higher-risk destination list regularly for a current listing of restricted travel. The reference to China applies to mainland China with the exception of the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Please contact Enterprise Risk Management if you have any questions about current or future travel. Questions related to health or healthcare should be directed to medical professionals.

Updated: January 29, 2020

Dear DU Community,

You are likely aware of an evolving outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus in Wuhan, China. There are cases reported in other parts of the world as well. Risk of contracting the novel coronavirus (2019-n-CoV) remains low.

There are no reported cases in Colorado. There are no reported cases at the University of Denver, but we have received many questions and want to share information as a precaution.

The University of Denver in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is monitoring the situation to ensure the health and safety of the University community. The University will provide updates as needed.

Many of the symptoms of the Novel Coronavirus mimic those of the common cold or the flu with cough, fever and difficulty breathing. While the risk of contracting Coronavirus is extremely low, Influenza B (flu) has more than 15 million reported cases.

To protect yourself and others, members of the campus community:

• Are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention if they are experiencing fever, cough or having difficulty breathing.
• Should not attend classes, work, or University events if they are ill. They should stay home except when seeking medical care and should avoid contact with others.
• Should cover their mouths or noses with a tissue or their shirtsleeves - not their hands - when coughing and sneezing.
• Should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

As we are a campus with global reach, if you have traveled to China for business, personal or school-related matters in the last 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical care immediately and avoid contact with others.

Current policy prohibits undergraduate students from traveling to China, and graduate students/employees wishing to travel to Hubei Province must receive approval from the International Travel Committee before departure. 

If you are a DU graduate student or an employee traveling to China for essential, university-related purposes in the coming weeks, please notify DU’s International Travel Risk Analyst of your travel plans before departure to discuss the required registration process and available resources to international travelers. Please contact Enterprise Risk Management if you have any questions about current or future travel. 

Students, if you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the Health & Counseling Center at (303) 871-2205.

Faculty and staff, please contact Kaiser Permanente at 1-800-218-1059 or your healthcare provider.

Sincerely,

Michael LaFarr

Executive Director, Health & Counseling Center