|
Chairman’s Announcement (24 April 2004)
There are confirmed SARS now occurring in China (Anhui: 1 confirmed and 1 suspected case, Beijing: 1 confirmed and 1 suspected case). The HKSAR Government has activated the SARS Alert Level at 7 pm on 23 April 2004. At the same time, Hospital Authority has activated the Yellow Alert. (Please refer to the press release of the Department of Health on 23 April 2004.)
The CUHK Campus (SARS/Flu) Task Force has accordingly also activated its Alert System with immediate effects to the "Alert Level". Please refer to (http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/sars_and_flu/alert_action/cur_alert_plan/cur_alert_plan.htm) for details. All Departments and Units are required to follow the appropriate level of action plan. Individual staff and students are also expected to continue with your personal and environmental measure for the protection of yourself and others around you.
Infection control measures at UHS continue in full force, with particular action for surveillance especially for those returning from places in China where confirmed cases are identified.
As the final examination has already started, the Task Force would like to urge candidates to take note of the following:
- Candidates who are not feeling well should seek medical assistance at UHS immediately.
- Candidates who have respiratory tract symptoms should wear a mask when attending the examination.
- Candidates with severe coughing or sneezing may be asked to take an isolated seat in the examination hall or seek medical advice.
For prevention of SARS and respiratory tract infection, please adopt the following measures:
- Build up good body immunity by having a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
- Maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
- Maintain good ventilation;
- Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation;
- Consult a doctor promptly if you develop respiratory symptoms;
- Put on a mask if suffering from respiratory tract infection to reduce the chance of spreading the infection to people around them; and
- Put on a mask if taking care of a patient with respiratory symptoms and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
Please also take a look of the Prevention Guidelines posted on our website. The Task Force will monitor the development closely and will keep you informed with updated information regularly at our website.
Chairman’s Announcement (23 April 2004)
China reported two suspected SARS cases yesterday, one in Beijing and one in Anhui. The patient in Beijing is a 20-year-old nurse, who reported symptoms of fever, cough and shivering on 5 April. She is now hospitalized in isolation in Ditan Hospital. Five people who had close contact with her developed fever and have been quarantined. Details of the suspected case in Anhui are not yet available. Experts of the Ministry of Health have begun investigation of the two cases, and Hong Kong’s Department of Health will maintain close contact with the Mainland health authorities. (Please refer to the press release of the Department of Health on 22 April 2004.)
The current General Preparedness and Vigilance Level of the CUHK Campus (SARS/Flu) Alert and Action Plan is being maintained. Due vigilance in infection control measures have been taken up by the University Health Service. Please take note of the advice given in the Prevention Guidelines for Travelling when planning a trip away from Hong Kong. The Task Force will keep track of the development and inform you with updated information.
For prevention of SARS and respiratory tract infection, please adopt the following measures:
- Build up good body immunity by having a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
- Maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
- Maintain good ventilation;
- Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation;
- Consult a doctor promptly if you develop respiratory symptoms;
- Put on a mask if suffering from respiratory tract infection to reduce the chance of spreading the infection to people around them; and
- Put on a mask if taking care of a patient with respiratory symptoms and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
Chairman’s Announcement (6 April 2004)
As there is no confirmed case of SARS for more than two months and the avian influenza has also receded in neighbouring areas, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority have announced on 1 April that their respective Alert Level of SARS Response System and Yellow Alert are going to stand down on 6 April.
In view of this, the Campus (SARS/Flu) Task Force has decided to lower the alert stage to the “General Preparedness and Vigilance Level” on its Alert and Action Plan. At this Level, all university staff and students are advised to maintain their vigilance against the resurgence of SARS and observe good personal and environmental hygiene practices, including:
· Frequent hand washing.
· Consult a doctor if feeling unwell.
· Wear a surgical mask when suffering from respiratory tract infection such as coughing or sneezing.
Please take a look of the Campus (SARS/Flu) Alert and Action Plan for the preventive and infection control measures that are being adopted by the Task Force, University Health Service, Colleges & Hostels, and various units concerned.
The Task Force will continue to monitor the SARS development closely. Please keep updated at our website.
Chairman’s Announcement (2 April 2004)
On 25 March, the medical delegation from the Department of Health met with the Guangdong counterparts to exchange views on the control, surveillance and treatment of SARS, influenza and AIDS. The meeting reviewed the four SARS cases reported in Guanzhou since last December. The cases had onset of symptoms between 16 December 2003 and 7 January 2004. The last case was discharged in late January 2004. There was no secondary spread. Culling and banning of palm civet sales were enforced in January 2004. The Health Department of Guangdong Province has wound down the SARS contingency measures since 19 March 2004.
The Department of Health has announced on 1 April that the Alert Level of SARS response system in Hong Kong will most likely stand down from 6 April 2004. The Campus SARS/Flu Task Force will also follow the Government’s decision to step down from the Alert Level to the General Preparedness & Vigilance Level in our campus. The Task Force will remain prepared and stay vigilant for the possible reoccurrence of the infectious diseases by monitoring communicable disease surveillance and upkeeping the infection control protocols in various departments concerned.
Effective measures of infection control will remain in the University Health Service such as operating the Fever Clinic; all health workers would wear surgical masks; patients with respiratory symptoms are required to put on masks; frequent disinfecting the clinic area and other infection control measures. The clinic staff is reminded to stay alert for rapid detection and isolation of patients with communicable diseases as an enforcement of effective infection control.
Members of the University will be kept posted of any revised arrangements when situation changes. Please make use of the SARS/Flu Task Force website to keep you posted of any new developments.
|