Updates on coronavirus

Editor's note: For the latest updates on coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit coronavirusupdates.uchicago.edu.

The purpose of this page is to keep members of the University of Chicago community informed about the public health situation relating to the coronavirus. You can check this page periodically for updates.

Feb. 6 email from Provost Ka Yee Lee

This week the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued new guidelines for precautions that universities should take to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV. The University of Chicago is implementing these steps in accordance with direction from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical specialists at the University of Chicago Medicine. A student-focused version of the CDPH guidance is available here.

As we act to promote the health and well-being of the University community, it is important to avoid uninformed assumptions, show care for our colleagues and students, and base precautionary steps on the best information available. The U.S. has relatively few 2019-nCoV infections, and no one in the University of Chicago community or at our medical center has tested positive for 2019-nCoV. While public health officials believe the immediate risk to the general public in the U.S. is low, we want to make sure the University community is informed and follows appropriate preventative measures, especially because 2019-nCoV is novel and thus people have no immunity to it.

New Guidance

Due to continued increases of 2019-nCoV cases in China, the University is following these new recommendations from CDPH:

  • Any students, academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, staff or visitors returning from mainland China on February 3 and onward are instructed not to attend school or work for 14 days after the return date. The University will excuse absences for this purpose. Anyone in this situation should immediately notify coronavirusinfo@uchicago.edu and your local department.
  • Those who returned from mainland China before February 3 and do not have respiratory symptoms can remain in school and work, according to CDPH. Individuals who returned between January 21 and February 2 and have developed respiratory symptoms including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should stay home except to get medical care, and contact coronavirusinfo@uchicago.edu. University representatives will immediately notify CDPH and help provide individualized guidance.
  • In addition, the University asks that anyone who has returned from China since January 21 notify the University through the coronavirusinfo@uchicago.edu email so we can provide guidance.

These steps are in keeping with the updated guidance issued by the CDC on February 3. On January 31 the U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for China to Level 4: Do Not Travel. In addition, most major U.S. airlines have indicated that they are temporarily suspending or significantly decreasing their service to and from China. The University has strongly discouraged any travel to China and Hong Kong, and has temporarily closed our Center in Beijing and Yuen Campus in Hong Kong. In light of the current situation, anyone planning to return from China in the coming weeks should self-identify so we can inform them of potential challenges to their return.

Everyday Precautions

The University of Chicago Medicine has posted this informative video on how to take appropriate steps to stay safe from 2019-nCov and common respiratory illnesses that currently pose a greater risk in the U.S., including influenza. These steps include:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • 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.

Feb. 4 update

Further health information is available from CDPH and the CDC. Working with you to protect the health and safety of all members of our community is of paramount importance, and we will continue to keep you informed if the situation changes. Please contact cornoavirusinfo@uchicago.edu if you need guidance, resources, or assistance.

The University continues to monitor developments around the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

At this time, we do not have patients at UChicago Medicine (UCM) or members of the University community who have tested positive for 2019-nCoV. UCM and the Student Health Service are continuing to screen patients in keeping with guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If you have questions about coronavirus or ways to prevent infection, please find this video Q&A with UCM Hospital Epidemiologist, Dr. Emily Landon. Further questions should be directed tocoronavirusinfo@uchicago.edu.  

The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory for China currently stands at Level 4: Do Not Travel and advises travelers to “be prepared for the possibility of travel restrictions with little or no advance notice” and to be aware that “most commercial air carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China.” The University strongly discourages all travel to mainland China and Hong Kong during this period by members of the University community.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These steps include: 

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • 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.

Jan. 28 email from Provost Diermeier to the University community

In light of updated travel advisories from the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recommend avoiding non-essential travel to China, the University of Chicago is temporarily closing our Center in Beijing and Yuen Campus in Hong Kong through February 17. A number of universities in mainland China and in Hong Kong are also closed through that date.

The University strongly discourages all travel to mainland China and Hong Kong during this period by members of the University community. Because of quarantine measures that are taking effect in China and the U.S., the University may not be able to effectively assist travelers attempting to return from China.

Programming beyond February 17 will be evaluated as the situation develops. We are working to ensure the safety of University personnel still in mainland China and Hong Kong.  The University remains committed to the research, education, academic collaborations, and community partnerships that our locations in Beijing and Hong Kong make possible, and we look forward to the resumption of activities as soon as conditions allow.

If you are uncertain about scheduled travel to or from mainland China or Hong Kong, or have programs or events that may be affected, please send your questions to coronavirusinfo@uchicago.edu. A number of University offices are monitoring this situation closely, including UChicago Global and the Office of Risk Management, and the appropriate office will respond to provide help and resources for any questions you may have. Those who absolutely must travel to mainland China or Hong Kong should register with UChicago Traveler at this link.

The public health situation in China and the U.S. is still developing, and we will continue to provide updates and guidance through the University and the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM). At this time we do not have patients at UCM or members of the University community who have tested positive for 2019-nCoV, however UCM and the Student Health Service are screening all patients in keeping with guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For information on those screening processes, please review this Q&A with the hospital’s epidemiologist. Students may also reach out to SHCS with any questions or concerns. The latest information and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are available here.

Jan. 28 update 

The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 3 travel advisory, "reconsider travel," for the country of China, and a Level 4 travel advisory, "do not travel," for Hubei province.

Individuals are encouraged to continue to take steps that help prevent any respiratory infection—whether it’s the flu or a common cold. These steps include:  

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • 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

Jan. 24 email from Provost Daniel Diermeier and Dean Kenneth Polonsky to the University community

As the health and well-being of our campus community is a paramount priority, and in light of the single confirmed case of the virus in the city of Chicago, the University is taking necessary precautions to protect the health of our community.

University of Chicago Provost Daniel Diermeier and Kenneth S. Polonsky, MD, Executive Vice President of the University for Biology and Medicine, sent a message containing information on novel coronavirus. Read the message here.

The Student Health Service and the University of Chicago Medicine are following guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are screening all patients for coronavirus, regardless of the reason for their visit, by asking patients whether they have recently traveled to Wuhan City, China, or been in close contact with an ill person who is known or suspected of having the coronavirus in the past 14 days.

The University will continue to monitor the situation closely and post updates on this page.

Jan. 23 update

The University is monitoring the public health situation relating to a novel strain of coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China. 

As of January 21 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed one case of the virus in Washington state involving an individual who had recently traveled to Wuhan. The World Health Organization reported 314 confirmed cases in China and neighboring countries. While we are not aware of any cases in the UChicago community or the State of Illinois, we are closely monitoring the situation, coordinating with colleagues from UChicago Medicine, and following the latest guidance from public health officials with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the CDC. 

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is one of five U.S. airports that will be conducting screening for illness in passengers entering the U.S. who traveled from Wuhan, China.  Preliminary information suggests that older adults and people with underlying health conditions may be at increased risk from this virus.

Symptoms related to this coronavirus strain include fever, cough, runny nose, headache, or sore throat. In severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia or other complications.  We encourage any student who is not feeling well or who has questions or concerns to contact the Student Health Service at 773-702-4156.  Other members of the UChicago community are encouraged to reach out to their primary care provider with questions about their health.  Individuals should inform their medical providers of any recent travel. 

The following actions are useful advice for preventing the spread of viruses:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick

For more information on the screening process in place at UChicago Medicine and the Student Health Service, please review this Q&A with the hospital’s epidemiologist.  

For more information and the latest public health guidance, please refer to the CDC and IDPH websites.