Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University (APSU) officials are closely monitoring information related to the coronavirus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers the risk of this disease in the United States to be low at this time, but officials there on Tuesday, February 25th, warned that it expects the virus to begin spreading at a community level in the country.
The incubation period for the coronavirus is two weeks. APSU students, faculty or staff who have traveled to or from China more than two weeks ago and are not ill have no cause for concern.
Those who have traveled to affected areas in China (Wuhan or the Hubei Province) or who believe they may have been in contact with an infected person, should monitor their health and contact their primary care physician or Boyd Health Services.
Because we are in the midst of the traditional flu virus season, many campus practices to safeguard the health of students, faculty and staff are already in place. Staff from CMTi Housekeeping and Chartwells Dining Services routinely disinfect touchpoints – such as switch panels, faucets, doorknobs and handrails – throughout campus. Similarly, the coronavirus is effectively treated with standard cleaning products.
Boyd Health Service officials encourage students and all members of the APSU community to continue to take the standard, recommended precautions to prevent the spread of flu-like illness:
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Frequently clean touch surfaces, including cell phones, laptops, and keyboards.
- Avoid sharing food utensils, containers and other personal items.
- Students registering a fever of more than 100.4 F should visit Boyd Health Services.
In addition, it is not too late to receive this year’s flu vaccine.
For the latest updates on the coronavirus and travel-related advisories or the flu, please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website.
Additional information is available at the Boyd Health Services website.
To Learn More
Austin Peay State University will host a special lecture about the coronavirus at 5:30pm Tuesday, March 3rd, at Science on Tap at Strawberry Alley Ale Works in Downtown Clarksville.
For more information, visit https://www.apsu.edu/news/february-2020-science-tap-coronavirus.php.
