Update on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent (Novel Coronavirus in Wuhan)

NOTICE

 

Ref.	:	HSE0003/19-20
To	:	All Staff & Students
From	:	Angela Kwong, Secretary to the Health, Safety and Environment Committee
Date	:	17 January 2020

 

Further to our email dated 9 January 2020, HSE Committee would like to update colleagues and students with the following:

 

In view of the latest situation and risk assessment, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) enhanced surveillance of suspected cases and reviewed the reporting criteria of “Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent” on 16 January 2020.

 

To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, colleagues and students should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene and stay alert on the advice of CHP as below:

• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and add water to the U-traps regularly to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80% alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

 

In response to the latest development, the following measures are in place:

• Increased frequency of cleaning of public facilities;
• Increased points of hand sanitizer (please refer to the map below);
• Thermometers provided for body temperature check upon request at Security Counter of Hostel Blocks, Security Control Room on G/F Wong Administration Building and Campus Support Office on LG/F Indoor Sports Complex;
• As the stock of surgical masks on campus is limited with scarce supply in market, the University can only provide masks to those students and colleagues who are having fever and/or respiratory symptoms or had  experienced one of the following within 14 days:
  1. visited Wuhan;
  2. visited a medical hospital in the Mainland;
  3. had close contact with a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus while that patient was symptomatic in past 14 days at the moment.

 

During Office Hours
COFMD(O&M) - Campus Support Office	2616-7134
Human Resources Office	2616-8962
Student Services Centre	2616-7309
During Non-Office Hours
Security Control (24-hour)	2616-8000

Thank you for your kind attention.

 

Best Regards
Angela Kwong

Secretary to the Health, Safety and Environment Committee