Selective Announcements

(June 13, 2003)

 

1.     To keep a record of the past important announcements made by the Task Force, we have incorporated them into the revised section "The Campus SARS Task Force and Selective Announcements".  Photos of the Task Force can also be found in this section.  Please have a look.

 

2.     The Director of Estates Management Office has issued a circular to all residents of University Staff Quarters regarding operation and maintenance of sewage pipe systems.  The EMO is currently conducting a preliminary inspection of these systems in all buildings on campus.  If colleagues want to report any problem of the pipes in their homes, please phone 2609-6666.

 

 

(June 10, 2003)

 

UPDATE ON THE UNIVERSITY MASK POLICY (June 10, 2003)

 

The Campus (SARS) Task Force has extensively reviewed the Mask Policy in light of the declining trend of SARS in the community and the situation on campus. 

 

The Task Force has taken into consideration that International health authorities (WHO on May 23, latest from USA CDC on June 4) have lifted the Travel Advisory on Hong Kong in succession because Hong Kong has continually been able to demonstrate that the local SARS outbreak is under control and to satisfy the stringent criteria for their action. Occurrence of local community transmission has been reduced to nil or minimum now. Since April 20, for more than 2 SARS extended incubation period, nearly all cases have clear documented contact exposure. 

 

On campus at the university, no staff or students has been on the confirmed or suspect list for a number of weeks. With the exception of a few summer residents, great majority of hostel students has checked out last week.

 

In view of the current SARS situation locally and in nearby locations including mainland and Taiwan, and the relatively smaller number of staff and students remaining on campus during this summer time, the Task Force has decided that it is the appropriate time to modify the university Mask Policy along the following lines.

 

1. Staff and students may choose not to wear face mask on campus. They are advised to keep a face mask handy if they want to wear the mask in crowded public places or poorly ventilated places such as public transports as a precautionary measure.

 

2. However, the wearing of face masks should continue to be required for staff and students in some situations:

·          Those who are visiting or working at UHS and hospitals;

·          Those who are having respiratory infection symptoms or caring for patients with respiratory infection symptoms;

·          Those who are food handlers* of university canteens; and

·          Those who are under observation as close contacts** of confirmed or suspected SARS patients.

 

The Task Force would like to emphasize that the progress in controlling SARS is in no small measure a result of the adoption by everybody of personal and environmental hygiene practices including the wearing of face masks. Staff and students should be well aware of the fact that Hong Kong is not completely free of SARS yet and the possibility of resurgence outbreaks in the community is always there. All other hygiene and precautionary measures should continue to be vigilantly observed. The university will continue to make specific preparations to handle the situation on campus as long as the infection remains a threat to us.

 

The Task Force will constantly monitor development of the SARS situation and will advise university staff and students further accordingly from time to time. Further guidelines will be set up for the Orientation Camp activities in August and special preparations for the new Academic year will be announced in due course. 

 

Please remember all the Important Notices for Staff and Students during Summer Break are still in place and has to be observed. 

 

*	Food handlers include kitchen staff, waiters/waitresses and cleaners. Members of the canteen inspection teams will advise canteen management for further information.
**	Close contacts are those who have lived with, care for confirmed or suspected SARS patients, or those who have come into contact with the respiratory secretions and body fluids of such patients.

 

 

(June 9, 2003)

 

1.     Hygiene Charter is part of the Operation UNITE’s continuing effort in the fight against SARS.  It aims to encourage everyone to pledge their commitment and adopt good hygiene practices in order to maintain a safe and healthy environment for the good of all.  CUHK is a subscriber and pledges its support and adherence to the Hygiene Charter.  The University’s Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion, at the invitation of Operation UNITE, has drawn up hygiene charters for 10 different business sectors.  Please refer to http://www.rthk.org.hk/special/operationUNITE/clean.htm for more information.

 

2.     Our Medical Library has developed a web page on Selected Resources on SARS, including general information and news, scientific research and publications.  Please click to http://www.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/medlib/internet/sars.htm for details.

 

 

(June 7, 2003) 

 

1.     The Task Force welcome the announcement made by USA Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on June 4 to lift the travel advisory and downgrade it to travel alert on Hong Kong.   For your information, a travel advisory recommends that nonessential travel be deferred; a travel alert, does not advise against travel, but informs travelers of a health concern and provides advice about specific precautions)- http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/sarshongkong.htm. Please keep on with your good vigilance and hygiene care. We are on our way to successfully containing SARS and aiming at CDC's further lifting of travel alert in the very near future (Singapore's travel alert was removed on June 4).

 

2.     Please do have a look at our new webpage - Fighting SARS: We Care We Serve - which contains a lot of useful information on all the contributions  by staff and students of CUHK in the battle against SARS over the past 3 months- from Clinical and Scientific work, community care and services, counselling to education, expert opinions, publications and research studies, donations and appreciations received, alumni contributions.etc.  http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/sars_care     

 

 

(May 31, 2003)

 

At its most recent meeting, the Task Force has carefully reviewed the University’s ‘Mask Policy’ and other precautionary measures in light of the decreasing number of new confirmed cases in the community and following the lifting of travel advisory by WHO on Hong Kong. 

 

After lengthy discussion, the Task Force has come to the consensus that the threat of SARS to the staffs and students is not completely over yet, it is not the time for complacency and there are still quite a number of concerns that need to be cautioned against:

 

1.     Hong Kong is still being listed as one of the SARS affected areas with recent local transmission by WHO. The USA CDC has not lifted the Travelling Advisory to Hong Kong yet.

 

2.     The adjacent regions in mainland and Taiwan inclusive are not free of SARS yet. The proposed relaxation of travelling group tours between Hong Kong and mainland would allow significantly increased exchange flow of people across the borders with increased risk of cross transmissions.

 

3.     There are still clusters of mini-outbreak in Hong Kong mainly from ‘silent patients’ and in particular the older age group who often do not present with any obvious clinical signs of SARS. Each one of this infection could potentially infect and cause spread around the hospitals and the community.

 

4.     Experience from the health care workers showed that with a fever of even up to 38 degrees C the affected person may not notice that himself/herself subjectively - thus silent patient can also exist in young person.

 

5.     The safety and hygiene precautions in Hong Kong though improved will still need time to be fully implement.  When the community level of vigilance falls too quickly, the inherent danger cannot be underestimated.

 

6.     The hospital system and physical setup in Hong Kong would need quite sometime to modify, upgrade or convert and is not in the best position to handle any significant outbreak or resurgence of SARS. There are still about 100 patients in the hospitals, 30 in the ICU and many more fever patients under observation.

 

7      What has happened in Toronto in the past week has shown clearly the possibility of resurgence of the SARS if the public lost its vigilance too quickly. People would become unprotected physically and psychologically.

 

8.     Up to now, diagnostic tests in the incubation period and early stage of SARS is still unreliable and we do not yet have any available vaccine. Prevention is only possible by indirect precautionary measures.

 

After thorough discussion and also consultation with medical experts, the Task Force has decided that for the safety and in the best interest of our staffs and students, the messages listed above should be re-emphasised and that the present Mask Policy and all hygiene and precautionary measures should be maintained for the time being.

 

Staff and students are strongly advised to wear masks in crowded or enclosed/indoor areas, especially libraries, school bus, clinic, classrooms, computer rooms and communal areas in hostels.  People who have coughs, sneezes or any other symptoms of respiratory problems must wear a mask. 

 

The Task Force will constantly review the Mask Policy and other measures in accordance with the SARS situation in Hong Kong (similar to what the SEM and Department of Health is doing) and inform staff and students of any changes at appropriate time.

 

 

(May 29, 2003)

 

Influenza and Dengue Fever 

 

With the concerted efforts of everybody, the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong is drifting away.  The Task Force, however, wishes to advise staff and students that we should continue to pay attention to personal and environmental hygiene.  This is particularly important in view of two emerging important infectious diseases, namely Influenza and Dengue Fever.  Observation of hygiene measures are vital to the prevention of outbreaks of these infectious diseases.

 

The Government has issued a caution note that there are recent outbreaks of influenza in the Guangdong Province.  Staff and students travelling to Guangdong should be on the alert of the prevalence of influenza.

 

For Dengue Fever, the Department of Health noted occurrence of some imported cases this year.  They advised that one of the effective strategies would be to control the mosquito vectors by eliminate mosquito breeding places in the environment.  Staff and students travelling to Dengue Fever endemic areas (e.g. South-east Asian countries) should take precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bite.

 

UHS is preparing information leaflets and posters to inform staff and students the nature of Influenza and Dengue Fever and details of preventive measures.  UHS is also arranging influenza vaccination for all who may wish to receive additional protection against influenza.  Vaccines for the current type of Influenza virus will be available in August.

 

For further information, please consult Mrs. Pauline Kan, Nursing Officer (Health Education) of UHS, or visit the websites http://www.info.gov.hk/dh/diseases/index.htm and http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/uhs/dochtml/news1.html

 

 

(May 26, 2003)

1.     It has come to the attention of the Task Force that some students and student societies are planning summer activities in mainland China. The Task Force recommends that it is better to avoid visiting SARS-infected areas / countries as far as possible to prevent possible infection by the disease. Before joining these activities, students are advised to carefully assess the current infection situation at their destination, be aware of the development of the main symptoms and signs of SARS, and take up all the necessary precautions as well as medical insurance cover. Please refer to the guidelines/advice of the Task Force for staff and students planning to travel outside of and return to Hong Kong posted on Important Notices for Staff and Students During Summer Break. A circular has also been emailed to all students reminding them of these important guidelines. Please have a look.

 

2.     Safe Use of Disinfectant

There are some concerns over the use of disinfectants. Hypochlorite (bleaching solution) is an effective disinfectant against microorganisms and the use of such powerful chemical has become routine on campus to fight SARS. Like all other disinfectants, hypochlorite solution must be used carefully. 

During dilution of hypochlorite solution, users should wear masks, impervious gloves and eye protections. Mixing of hypochlorite solution should be performed in well-ventilated areas and in such a way to avoid splashing. In its diluted form, the hypochlorite solution should be quite safe to use. Details of safety measures have been included in the second section of the 'General Guidelines on Cleaning and Disinfection' (English / Chinese) in the CUHK Campus (SARS) Task Force web site. Users are urged to follow the appropriate advice for their own safety. 

If in doubt, users should contact the University Safety and Environment Office (phone no. 2609 7958) for safety advice. 

 

 

(May 24, 2003)

 

1.     It has been very good news that the number of daily new confirmed cases of SARS has remained in single digit level for the past two weeks.  The Task Force happily welcomes the decision by the World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday on the lifting of travel advisory against non-essential travel to HKSAR imposed on April 2.  However, it would be important for all staff and students to understand that until we are free of any new cases for 20 consecutive days, HKSAR is still regarded as an area with local SARS infectious transmissions.  So we must keep on all the precautionary and hygiene measures vigilantly.  The University ‘Mask Policy’ would be reviewed by the Task Force late next week and any change in the recommendations and guidelines would be announced at appropriate time.

 

2.     To facilitate passage through custom office for staff and students when they travel abroad, the Task Force would like to advise them to receive medical screening and obtain a Health Certificate within 48 hours prior to departure.  The medical screening, which involves answering a questionnaire and a temperature check, can be arranged at the University Health Service with advance booking.  Please refer to the Guidelines for Staff and Students Travelling Abroad - Health Certification for details.

 

3.     The Graduate School has yesterday issued a notice to new postgraduate students concerning the precautionary measures against SARS.  While the University currently does not have any policy to put new students coming from SARS affected areas in quarantine upon their arrival, all new hostel residents are required to follow the University’s SARS precautionary guidelines, including filling in SARS questionnaire and checking of body temperature.  Please refer to the Notice to New Students on SARS from Graduate School and also the Guidelines for All New Students (Undergraduates and Postgraduates).

 

4.     A circular has been issued to all residents of Postgraduate Halls from the Master of PGH concerning guidelines/advice for PGH residents leaving and returning from trip outside of HK during the summer break.  Please refer to the circular at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/itsc/cumassmailing/sarsdigest/sars_20030523_01.html for details.

　

　

(May 22, 2003)

 

In Memory of Dr Tse Yuen Man

 

獻給

謝婉雯醫生

1968-2003

 

彩虹下的約定 (詩集：讚美之泉4)

我空虛的心靈，終於不再流淚

期待著雨後，繽紛的彩虹，訴說你我的約定

我不安的腳步，終於可以停歇，主你已為我擺設了生命的盛宴

與你有約，是永恆的約

彩虹為證，千古不變

我要高歌，為生命喜悅

萬物歌頌你的慈愛，大地訴說你的恩典

 

 

 

(May 18, 2003)

 

1.    Please be reminded that a memorial service for our beloved Dr Tse Yuen Man, organized by CUHK Medical Alumni Association, will be held today, May 18, 2003 (Sunday) at 3 pm at Chung Chi Chapel, CUHK.  The service is open to CUHK staff, students and alumni.

 

 

2.    金耀基校長致謝婉雯醫生悼詞

 

非典型肺炎在香港爆發後，無數中大人在威院或其他醫院為了抗炎，前赴後繼，日以繼夜搶救病人，眼見一個個醫護人員陸續病倒，但無阻後繼者勇敢地站上前線，與疫症埋身搏鬥。我們的校友，謝婉雯醫生正是當中的表表者，她的英勇風範，俠骨仁心，牽動了香港人的感情，感動了香港。

 

謝婉雯校友是香港中文大學聯合書院1992年的醫科畢業生，畢業後即投身懸壺濟世的行列，加入屯門醫院。當屯門醫院病房因非典型肺炎疫情而告急，謝校友自動請纓奮勇站上前線，照顧非典型肺炎病人。一直以來，謝校友承擔醫生救病扶危的天職，克盡己職，以自己生命為醫生的專業倫理作了最佳的詮譯。中大為她感到光榮。

 

謝校友在搶救非典型肺炎病人期間而不幸殉職，香港人為此深切惋悼，中大人更為此感到心連心的切膚之痛。至今她留存下來的：美好的回憶，英勇的事蹟，一點一滴，永遠叫人懷念。謝婉雯校友是一位出色的醫生，一位有情有義的女子，她有一個beautiful mind，一顆beautiful heart，她令香港更加美麗！

 

謝婉雯如此英年早逝，令人痛惜，但她活得精彩，死得榮耀，她是香港的驕傲，她是香港的女兒。

 

為了表彰她對醫療界所作的貢獻和英勇的表現，中大醫學院舊生會特別成立以謝婉雯校友命名之獎學金，我們希望獎學金能夠將謝婉雯竭誠助人的薪火代代相傳。

 

最後，我謹向謝婉雯校友的家人致上最深切的慰問，我和您們一樣，由此至終，深深以她為榮。

 

 

二零零三年五月十八日

 

 

3.    The United College and the CUHK Medical Alumni Association have respectively set up Dr Tse Yuen Man Memorial Scholarship.  For details, please refer to the following links:

•         United College Dr Tse Yuen Man Memorial Scholarship

•         CUHKMAA Dr. Tse Yuen Man Memorial Scholarship

 

 

 

 

(May 13, 2003)

 

1.         With the deepest regret, the Task Force would like to inform staff, students and alumni the sad loss of our beloved and most courageous Dr. Tse Yuen Man this morning in Tuen Mun Hospital. She was the first medical doctor to die of SARS in our public hospitals' front-line team fighting against the disease.

 

Yuen Man was a 1992 MB ChB graduate of United College of our University. She volunteered to work in Tuen Mun Hospital's SARS ward soon after the outbreak of the disease, and had worked tirelessly at her duties as a caring and attentive medical doctor, until she unfortunately caught SARS herself in late March. While saddened deeply by the untimely passing away of Yuen Man, we are most proud of her selfless dedication to the Hong Kong medical profession's hard battle against SARS.

 

Our Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Medical Faculty and Director of Alumni Affairs Office have sent their letter of deep sympathy to Dr. Tse's family and will try their best to render help to her family. (http://www.alumni.cuhk.edu.hk/eng/news/whatsnew/DrTseYM-2.html)

 

 

2.         In view of the current SARS outbreak, the Task Force recommends that it is better to avoid visiting SARS-infected areas / countries as far as possible during this critical period. If it is a must to go to these places, all the necessary SARS precautionary measures must be taken to prevent the possible infection of the virus.

 

To contain the spread of SARS in campus and to safeguard the health of fellow students and staff, the Task Force would like to recommend all members of the University to observe the following guidelines/advice, which are posted under the section “Important Notices for Staff and Students During Summer Break”:

·            Guidelines for Students (Undergraduates and Postgraduates) and Staff Leaving Hong Kong

·            Guidelines for Hostel Resident Students Returning from Trip Outside of Hong Kong (Undergraduates and Postgraduates)

·            Guidelines for Non-Hostel Resident Students (Undergraduates and Postgraduates) and Staff Returning from Trip Outside of Hong Kong

·            Guidelines for All New Students (Undergraduates and Postgraduates)

 

 

 

(May 12, 2003)

 

1.    To minimize the risk of cross infection among participants in summer activities, the Task Force would like to advise all University departments/units and student societies to observe the SARS preventive measures when organizing these activities.
SARS Prevention Guidelines on Organizing Activities in Campus

o           Guidelines for Organizers

o           Precautionary Measures to Prevent SARS

 

2.    In view of the current SARS outbreak, the Task Force recommends that it is better to avoid visiting SARS-infected areas / countries as far as possible during this critical period. A set of guidelines/advice for staff and students to note when leaving and returning to Hong Kong will be posted tomorrow on our webpage.

 

3.    A major facelift has been done on our webpage.

(i)    A new section "Important Notices for Staff and Students During Summer Break" is introduced where important notices issued from the Task Force will be posted here.

(ii)   A new website of "Fighting SARS: We Care We Serve" has been launched at (http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/sars_care).  It contains information on all activities, projects, research work, and contributions done by members of the University in the battle against SARS.  Please take a look.  To achieve a united front against SARS, staff and students are welcome to send in relevant materials of their projects to the SARS Information Coordinating Committee via email account (pubsars@cuhk.edu.hk).

 

 

 

(May 10, 2003)

 

1.    VC office has announced the good news that UC Berkeley has withdrawn their restriction on university students from Hong Kong today and all summer courses and visits originally planned could proceed as scheduled.  UHS will help in the body check and issue of health certificates for enrolled students. Chung Chi College will be in touch with the enrolled students separately with further details. 

 

 

 

(May 9, 2003)

 

1.    The Task Force received information from the Department of Health confirming that Professor Tsang Shui Lung of History Department, who passed away on May 5, was not considered as a suspect SARS case.  Home confinement procedure is not considered necessary for his close contacts.  The exact cause of death will be reported by the Coroner in due course.

 

2.    As the final examination comes towards the end, the swimming pool is now scheduled to re-open on May 12.  On the advice of the Task Force, a set of precautionary measures have been especially arranged to prevent possible transmission of SARS and to ensure the hygiene condition of the pool water for swimmers.  Please refer to the notice from Staff / Student Centres Management Committee for details
(http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/sars/swimpool_notice.htm).

 

 

 

(May 7, 2003)

 

1.         To address the concerns of colleagues who live in buildings with confirmed SARS cases, the Personnel Office has issued a circular providing University guidelines and relevant information on this issue. Please refer to the circular from Personnel Office (GC07/2003) for details.

 

 

 

(May 6, 2003)

 

With regard to the sad news of the death of Professor Tsang Shui Lung from Department of History yesterday, the Task Force would like to update you on the latest information this morning which will help to clarify some of the rumors. 

 

Prof Tsang was feeling unwell on Friday, 2 May and seen in Hong Kong Sanatorium emergency room on May 4 with fever after which he was transferred directly to Queen Mary Hospital for further management. Condition deteriorated quickly and unfortunately, he passed away on May 5 at 7 am in the ICU of QMH.

 

Result from the initial blood culture of Prof Tsang showed heavy growth of a bacteria infection.    The medical and infection team in QMH are working on the route of infection at the moment.  They think SARS is less likely and would wait for a few days to decide if they would report to the Department of Health as a case of SARS.  The cause of death is thus at this stage UNCERTAIN and would require further Coroner's investigation.

 

Appropriate action and precautionary measures has been taken by the UHS, the Safety office and the Department of History.  Prof Tsang has not conducted any teaching NOR examination of any student in the past 2 weeks.  Staff/students who had contacted him in the preceding 10 days have been seen at UHS and his workplace cleansed and disinfected yesterday. The Task Force will keep colleagues updated on the latest information regularly.

 

 

 

(May 5, 2003)

 

With deep regret, the Task Force would like to announce the unexpected death of our beloved Professor Tsang Shui Lung from Department of History this morning. Prof Tsang was feeling unwell on Friday, 2 May and seen in Hong Kong Sanatorium emergency room on May 4 after which he was transferred directly to Queen Mary Hospital for further management. He passed away this morning at 7 am in the ICU of QMH. The cause of death is uncertain and would require further Coroner's investigation. Appropriate action and precautionary measures has been taken by the UHS, the Safety office and the Department of History. Prof Tsang has not conducted any teaching Nor examination of any students in the past 2 weeks.

 

 

 

(May 3, 2003)

 

1.         During the summer break, it is expected that many of our non-local students would return to their hometown. In view of the present conditions of SARS in China, the Mainland students are welcome to contact the UHS for medical assistance or the OSA for counseling advice before returning home. If they have difficulties in going home and wish to stay in campus during the summer, they can contact the Colleges for special arrangements. Please refer to the letter issued from Professor Jack C.Y. Cheng, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and University Dean of Students, to Mainland students on May 2 http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/sars/lettertostud0503.htm

 

 

 

(May 2, 2003)

 

1.         In a bid to prevent the spread of SARS and upgrade the hygiene standard, the Business Office has provided canteen operators with guidelines to step up measures on food and environmental hygiene, and policy of wearing mask by all canteen staff.  Designated inspection team will carry out sporadic checks on all University canteens to ensure the compliance of these measures.

 

2.         The Task Force would like to remind Colleges/Faculties/Departments and student societies to observe the SARS preventive guidelines when organizing activities during the summer break.  To minimize the risk of cross infection among participants, the organizing unit will need to take into careful consideration the control of the number of participants, the duration of the activity, ventilation of the venue, hygiene control and catering arrangement, etc.

 

 

 

(April 30, 2003)

 

1.         The Vice-Chancellor has issued an open letter to all staff on “A United Front Against SARS”.   Please have a look.

 

2.    The University has set up a SARS Information Coordinating Committee, chaired by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kenneth Young, to oversee the collation and dissemination of information on anti-SARS activities through the University’s SARS website.  Colleagues are welcome to send in all relevant information of their projects/activities via email (pubsars@cuhk.edu.hk).  Please click here for the template for submission of information.

 

 

 

(April 29, 2003)

 

1.    In view of the latest development of SARS, the Student Counselling and Development Service, Office of Student Affairs, has prepared an article entitled "SARS 的啟示" to share with students of the University.  In this article, a strategy “SARS (Self-care, Awareness, Relaxation, Social Support)” is used to illustrate how to cope with the current difficult situation, how to deal with fear and anxiety and how to help each other in the battle against SARS.  Please have a look of the article.

 

 

 

(April 28, 2003)

 

1.    For the safe use of surgical mask in the campus. The Task Force has requested the University Safety and Environment Office to carry out tests on samples of surgical masks acquired by our Business Office. Using a simplified version of the Standard Greene and Vesley tests - that includes microscopic examination with 720x magnification, water permeability test and particulate filtration efficiency test.  The surgical masks delivered by the Business Office pass all the three tests when compared with the 3M 1827 surgical mask (which is manufactured to meet the American ANSA Z87.1 Standards).

 

 

 

(April 27, 2003)

 

1.         Asia Time Magazine has put up a list of ‘Asian Heros 2003’ in the latest issue last week and our medical faculty colleagues and PWH frontline staffs has been highly praised as one of the key ‘Heroes’. Our sincere congratulations! Please read:

 

Asian Heroes 2003

The SARS Fighters  By William Green

 

 

“Amid all the suffering and fear SARS has caused, nothing is so heartening as the quiet courage of those treating the disease—regular people like Tam who know the risks but do not shy away from them. In this special issue of Time, we celebrate them, as well as a dazzling assortment of other heroes—Asians famous and unknown who remind us what the human spirit can achieve even in the direst of situations.”

http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/heroes/index.html

http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/heroes/sars_doctors.html

 

 

 

(April 25, 2003)

 

1.         A new section “Important Notice during Examination Period (April 25 - May 12)” has been added to our SARS website.  It contains important notices to all students from the Task Force and Registry during the final examination period.

 

2.         In order to reduce the risk of SARS spreading, the Government has announced that starting from April 25, household contacts of suspected SARS patients are required to undergo home confinement for up to 10 days.  Please refer to the Government’s press release on April 24.

 

 

 

(April 24, 2003)

 

Dear students,

 

The final examination is due to begin tomorrow.  While you are doing all your best in preparing for the examination, don’t forget to take adequate sleep and maintain your health in the best condition.  That will certainly help your examination performance.

 

During the examination period, daily cleaning and disinfection of all examination venues will be carried out to ensure a clean and safe environment for the candidates.  To further protect yourself as well as other fellow students, the Task Force would like to reiterate that all candidates must observe the following rules:

 

1.    If you have fever or symptoms of respiratory illness, you should not attend the examination. You must consult your doctor immediately and apply for absence from examination.  The  University will handle this type of applications sympathetically.  Those who are absent from examination may be otherwise assessed by the Department/Programme concerned.

 

2.    You must wear a mask before entering the examination hall and during the entire examination session.  You will be barred from attending the examination if failing to do so.

3.    If you have difficulties in wearing masks due to medical reasons, you should seek medical advice from the University Health Service in advance.

 

Detail examination timetable, seating plan, rules and regulations can be found on the website of Registration & Examinations Section.  Please check this out before the examination.

 

The Task Force would like to wish all of you success in your examinations and good health.

 

 

 

 

(April 22, 2003)

 

1.    A video of “Schools Against SARS Campaign「健康校園齊抗炎」”, produced by CUHK and sponsored by Eagle Star Insurance Group, has been posted on the website http://www.hkedcity.net/project/cuhk_sars/.  The video provides information about preventive measures against SARS, and health tips and guidelines for schools to follow.  Please take a look.  Talks have also been organized to teachers and students on how to prevent the contraction of SARS.

 

2.    The reporting format on our Statistical and Clinical Update has been changed according to the guidelines prescribed by WHO.  SARS cases are being classified as probable and suspect ones.  Detail definitions can be found on our updated General Information on SARS.

 

 

 

(April 21, 2003)

 

1.         Dear Students and colleagues, Welcome back after the Easter Holiday!

 

The Task Force is happy to inform you that the last Documented SARS case in the campus was more than 3 weeks ago (March 31) and the last Suspected case - the postgraduate student 2 weeks ago (April 8). The latest Religion year 2 students (admitted for investigation on April 15) has been discharged from hospital and proven NOT affected by SARS.

 

However, the end of term examination is very near now, all students should keep themselves in best health, psychologically and physically. There should be no room for complacency at a time where there are still many new SARS cases occurring in the community.

 

Please remember to help yourself and each other. The Task Force would like to remind all members of the University to stick to the University's SARS preventive guidelines, including wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and maintaining good personal hygiene and a clean environment around us. Also revisit the Urgent Notice to all Students and Staff, and Urgent Notice to Resident Hostel Students of All Colleges for hostel residents, the guidelines of which will continue to be strictly observed.

 

2.    Remember to BRING YOUR OWN MASK when you come back to campus tomorrow.   Please note that from tomorrow (April 22), Students and Staffs will not be provided with free mask from the university. For further details about the Mask Policy, Purchase and Distribution please revisit the Policy on Wearing Masks on CUHK Campus.

 

 

 

(April 16, 2003)

1.     Our University’s multi-disciplinary team has unlocked the whole DNA sequences in coronavirus. Please click here for details.

2.     It has come to the attention of the Task Force that the graduating class students of Shaw College are in the process of preparing for group photo-taking and related celebration activities despite the discouragement from the College.  The Task Force would like to emphasize that if the activity is to be held, for the safety of all participating students and to minimize any potential risks of cross infection, the following points MUST be observed:

(1)  The activity must be held outdoor.

(2)  The activity should be limited to photo-taking.

(3)  Appropriate precautions should be taken, e.g. only to unmask just before the photo-taking and then put on the mask right after.

(4)  It would be advisable to have the photo taking in well-organized smaller groups with proper traffic control.

(5)  Sharing of food and drinks together should be avoided.

(6)  Any student who is not feeling well or having fever or respiratory symptoms SHOULD NOT join the photo-taking.

 

3.     In order to reduce the load of the already very heavily loaded campus-wide email system (CWEM), ITSC will create a “SARS Digest” channel to disseminate SARS-related information submitted by various University units.  The SARS Digest will be dispatched to students and staff once or twice a day depending on the amount and urgency of the information.  Request can be submitted directly to ITSC at sars-digest@cuhk.edu.hk or via the SARS Task Force.  Every request must be accompanied by the following information :

Purpose :

Target Recipients :

Sender’s Name :

Requesting Department/Unit (In English : Mandatory)

Sender’s Contact Tel. No. :

Sender’s E-mail Address :

Message Subject (In English : Mandatory) :

Message Content (In Chinese AND English is Preferred) :

Message E-mail Address :

 

(April 14, 2003)

1.    This is the first day of class resumption.  The Task Force is happy to see that the great majority of staff and students have respected the University’s policy on wearing masks.  The Task Force appreciates very much your understanding and cooperation in following all the necessary preventive measures to reduce the risk of SARS infection in the campus by helping each other.

 

2.    The Registry has posted the Final Examination Timetable of 2nd Term, 2002-03 and related information on the webpage of the Registration and Examination Section http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/rgs/index.html.  Students can go to webpage to check details of their examination timetable.

 

3.    The University has published a press release on “CUHK confirms Canadian virus sequence”.  Please click here for details.

(April 13, 2003)

 

1.         The Chinese version of our SARS webpage is now ready for use, thanks to the hard work of our student translators, other members of the Task Force and the ITSC colleagues.  The essential guidelines and important messages would be translated into Chinese and updated as soon as possible.  The English version would remain as the most updated version.

2.         To protect and help each other in the prevention of SARS in our hostels, an Urgent Notice to Resident Hostel Students of All Colleges will be posted today. Please read carefully before coming back to hostel. Your warden and hostel management committee and college SARS working group will help to explain to you for any queries.

3.         Vice Chancellor has prepared a Letter to all staffs and students – to welcome you all to the class resumption

An extract from the last sentence of VC’s letter:

‘      Dear students, as you return to the campus wearing your facemasks, don’t ever forget that the bauhinia trees and azalea shrubs are greeting you and welcoming you back with their beautiful blossoms.

各位同學，當你們戴上口罩返回校園時，別忘了校園正盛開的紫荊與杜鵑，它們以親切的笑容在歡迎祝福你們！

Ambrose Y.C. King   Vice-Chancellor   14 April 2003

(April 12, 2003)

 

Dear Students

 

Welcome back to CUHK campus on Monday!  I hope you will find the campus an even cleaner and fresher place.  During the past 2 weeks, the University has conducted a massive clean-up and disinfection including every building within the campus.  More stringent cleansing measures are also put in place to maintain a clean and healthy environment.  For these measures to be effective, we must all do our part in helping to keep the campus clean.

 

To reduce the risk of SARS infection, we must all follow the precautionary measures, such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently and maintaining good personal hygiene.   Therefore, remember to bring along and wear a mask when you come to campus.  This can help to protect not only yourself but also others from catching or spreading the disease (Policy on Wearing Masks on CUHK Campus).  Guidelines for class resumption and other academic announcements have been issued by the Registry.  Please read University Academic Announcements.

 

For computer rooms in ITSC, colleges and departments, students should try to avoid standing and gathering together around the computer stations.  Some traffic control may be instituted by the respective units to avoid overcrowding situation.  Other student activities involving large number of people in enclosed areas are also not recommended under the current situation.

 

For students returning to the hostels, you will note that all college hostels have put up new regulations and guidelines to help to upkeep the hygiene and minimize risk of potential spread of infections. Please watch out for announcements from college directly through e-mails to you or information posted through our SARS Webpage (Student Activities / Student Services / College announcements).

 

In our battle against SARS, we must maintain high alert and stay vigilant.  We must also stay calm and do not panic.  Our Colleges, Faculties, Graduate School and Postgraduate Halls have set up their own SARS Working Groups to provide assistance to students and disseminate information on SARS.  The Student Counselling and Development Service Section of the Office of Students Affairs will offer psychological counselling service for students.  Please click on Contacts and Help for more details.

 

If you have fever or respiratory symptoms, you must not attend classes and should consult your doctor immediately.  You should also inform your Department and the University Health Service (Tel. 2609 6439).

 

The Centralized Final Examinations will be conducted as scheduled, i.e. from April 25 to May 12, 2003.  The final version of the examination timetable will be announced on April 14.  Please watch for Registry’s announcement on University Academic Announcements.

 

A new section Student Activities / Student Services / College announcements has been released on the website.  Information on special arrangements of student activities & services and announcements about SARS from Colleges / Postgraduate Halls / Administrative and Service Units can be found on this section.

 

Keep updated with our SARS Webpage!

(April 11, 2003)

 

1.         An urgent notice has been sent to all students and staff this morning to remind them some of the important points to take note when classes resume on Monday, April 14 2003.  Students who have fever or symptoms of respiratory illness SHOULD NOT come to campus to attend classes.  All persons on campus must WEAR MASKS at all times.  Please refer to “Urgent Notice to all Students and Staff”.

2.         The Government announced yesterday that by virtue of Regulation 11 of the Prevention of Infectious Disease Regulations, Cap 141, all household contacts of confirmed Atypical Pneumonia patients would be required to stay at home for up to 10 days or move into designated holiday camps with immediate effect.  Please click here to read the press release of the Government.

(April 10, 2003)

1.         The University has decided that classes will be resumed on April 14. Please click on Classes to resume on April 14 to check for details on class resumption arrangements. Other important notices to all students will be posted tomorrow.

2.         As the University has decided that all persons on campus are required to wear masks, those who have problems in complying with this policy because of medical reasons are advised to seek medical assistance at UHS. Please click on Mask Wearing for Persons with Medical Problems such as Allergic Rhinitis for details.

(April 9, 2003)

1.         The UHS has prepared two new sets of guidelines (please check out for details):

l            Keep Your Toilet Hygienic

l            Guideline on Home Infection Control for SARS Patients, or Suspected SARS Patients on Discharge

2.         Registry has prepared an announcement on the Centralized Course Examinations for Full-time Undergraduate Programmes in the 2nd Term of 2002-03, which is placed under a new section University Academic Announcements.  Students can check the list of courses which have cancelled the final examination.  They are advised to immediately contact the Department/teachers concerned on details of alternative arrangements made.  Registry will announce the detailed examination timetable, examination arrangements, as well as any contingency measures at a later time.  Please watch out for this.

3.         Another new section Information on Web-Based Learning and Teaching has been added to the website to facilitate teachers and students continuing their teaching and learning by staying at home.

4.         Fighting SARS is an ongoing battle.  We should all be well-prepared and make adjustments in our daily life in order the keep the risk of infection to a minimum.  In this difficult time, I would like to remind that we must be careful to keep ourselves healthy and to help each other to fight the disease.  We must learn “How to work and live with the SARS Virus”.

(April 8, 2003)

1.    The UHS has drawn up special arrangements with the health clinic for handling SARS “Close Contacts”. Please refer to http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/sars/medscrn.htm for more details.

2.    Properly and regularly washing your hands is an important measure to prevent the spreading of SARS disease on campus. Detailed guidelines, with illustration, on how to wash your hands properly have been prepared and uploaded onto our Web site. Please click on the section “Hand Washing” for more details. Another set of guidelines on toilet flushing will also be released very soon.

(April 6, 2003)

1.    In order to reinforce the ‘Mask and Hygiene policy’ in the campus, the Security Office will help to check regularly to make sure that the canteen/restaurant workers are strictly adhering to the policy and report any discrepancies. The managers of the caterers have all agreed to reinforce this policy. Other services including outside contractors working in the campus would also be reminded of the policy and the necessity of their compliance.

(April 5, 2003)

1.      Many CUHK teachers have adopted online teaching strategies in order to support students during the current suspension of University classes. These strategies will also be helpful in assisting students make up for lost time over the coming weeks. Professor Carmel McNaught of the Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research is happy to assist teachers who are new to online teaching in planning how electronic materials and discussion forums might be used. Contact details are: phone 2609 6028; email : carmel.mcnaught@cuhk.edu.hk

2.      New‘facelift’ for the SARS webpage has been done to allow more links to other items including the newly added:

a)           CU Cares for the Community

b)           Note regarding exchange students

c)           University Administrative Circulars

d)           Policy on Wearning Masks on CUHK Campus

(April 4, 2003)

1.         The University jointly with other UGC-funded institutions has announced that classes will continue to be suspended until April 13, 2003.  The decision was made after taking into consideration the number of factors including: the latest development of the SARS outbreak in the community; the concern that the occurrence of SARS cases among students and staff of the University cannot be contained before the community situation significantly improves; the need to reduce the risk of infection in the public transportation system of tens of thousands of commuting students; the Government’s decision to continue to suspend classes in primary and secondary schools. After careful reconsideration and assessing the related risk, the University has decided to extend the current suspension of classes.

2.         The University-wide policy on wearing, distributing and selling face masks has been announced. Please refer to the section “Policy on Wearing Masks on Campus” for details.

(April 3, 2003)

1.    Further Suspension of all formal classes until 13 April 2003

After taking into consideration the latest development of the atypical pneumonia outbreak, the University has decided to extend the current suspension of classes from 29 March - 6 April on Shatin Campus and Prince of Wales Hospital to 13 April 2003, but classes for the final year students of the MBChB programme will resume on 7 April.

For other relevant arrangements concerning classes and examinations, please click on the Section “Class Suspension, Class Resumption and Examinations” for details.

2.    The Estates Management Office will conduct a thorough cleansing and disinfection of the common areas of all student hostels and staff quarters during the class suspension period, then cleansing will continue to be done daily by their own caretakers. For those students who are currently staying at hostels during the class suspension period, the hostel warden will coordinate an exercise for all the hostel residents to clean and disinfect their own rooms, logistic support for the cleansing exercise will be offered by EMO. For those students who are currently staying at home, please continue to do so. Your hostel warden will coordinate another cleansing exercise when the university resumes classroom teaching. The Task Force would like to invite every hostel resident to take part in this exercise to help fight SARS on the campus.

3.    Pregnant staff members who have concerned over their health and would like to take some leave may apply their earned leave for the purpose. Department Chairmen/Unit heads are invited to consider their applications favourably. For details, please refer to the Personnel Office General Circular No. GC05/2003 issued on April 2, 2003 (hyperlink: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/personnel/res/perann_main.htm).

4.    For the purpose of SARS management, the University approved staff members who have close contacts with SARS patients may be given a leave period for up to 10 days, counting from the last day of contact with the SARS patient. For details, please refer to the Personnel Office General Circular No. GC04/2003 issued on March 28, 2003 (hyperlink: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/personnel/res/perann_main.htm)

 

(April 2, 2003)

1.    In view of the current situation in the community regarding the SARS outbreak, the University wishes to advise all staff and students that they MUST wear a mask at all times in all public areas, offices, library, classrooms, and during meetings and gatherings on the campus, with immediate effect. A university-wide policy on distributing and/or selling face masks to staff and students will soon be worked out. For professional advice on wearing face masks, please click on the section Surgical masks, Why, How? and Professional Advice

2.    In addition to colleges, all faculties will set up their own SARS working groups to collect and disseminate information to their undergraduate and postgraduate students, both full time and part time, on all SARS related issues, and will assist the University to implement various preventative measures to safeguard the health of its students and to control the spread of the disease on campus. The working groups may send mass mailings to their students to update them on various SARS issues; please check your mail box regularly.

3.    To minimize student residents’ face-to-face contact with visitors, all college hostels have now implemented the regulations that visitors are required to wear masks, must meet with student residents in specified common areas on ground floor, and must sign in and out of the hostel.

4.    The University and the Task Force would like to invite EVERY member of the university to join hands to fight SARS on the campus. Staff and students are strongly advised to observe all the prevention guidelines and precautionary measures against SARS, and to step up their own hygiene measures to control the spread of SARS on the campus. If you develop any SARS symptoms, please consult your own doctor or the doctors at the University clinic.

5.   The Campus SARS Task Force website will be updated at 12:00 noon and 8:00 pm every day Monday through Friday, and at 12:00 noon on Saturdays. Please watch for the latest news on the Campus SARS Task Force.

(March 31, 2003)

1.         In order to update everyone on the related issues of SARS, all department / unit heads, safety coordinators, staff members, and students currently staying in hostels are invited to attend the following briefing sessions. Details are as follows:

 

Date / Time	Venue	Target Group
Apr. 2, Wed. 2:30 pm	Cho Yiu Hall	Chairmen, unit heads
Apr. 3, Thurs. 10:00 am	Science Ctr, LT1	Safety coordinators
Apr. 3, Thurs. 12:30 pm	Science Ctr, LT1	Staff and students currently staying at campus hostels

 

Those students who are currently staying at home should continue to do so. Future forums will be organized for them separately when the university resumes classroom teaching.

2.         The following guidelines have been prepared; please click on the section What should I / We do? Guidelines & Recommendations for more details.

 

•            SARS Prevention Guidelines for ALL Persons, Including Persons Living on Campus (e.g., Hostels and Quarters)

•            SARS Prevention Guidelines for Patients with Respiratory Tract Infections

•            SARS Prevention Guidelines for Close Contacts

•            SARS Prevention Guidelines for Persons Who Have Found Out They Have Worked or Lived in the Same Building or Office with a Confirmed SARS Case

 

Mass mailing will be sent to all staff and students. Hard copy of the guidelines will also be distributed to faculty / departments / offices / units / student societies for posting and circulation.  It would be appreciated if Heads of Department / Office could draw their staff or students’ attention to the above guidelines, especially those who do not have Internet access or email accounts.

(March 30, 2003)

1.         Task force Membership expanded to include University Secretary, Deputy Registrar, Representative from College and Office of Student Affairs.

2.         Detail disinfection and cleaning plan of all university buildings (including all hostels) will be announced by Monday, March 31.

3.         Daily Meeting of Task Force will be conducted in the coming week to update and disseminate the latest information

4.         College SARS Working Group will be set up in each college from today (as a subcommittee of the SARS Task Force) to provide frontline counseling of student on SARS, information collection and dissemination, promote and upgrade hostel and personal hygiene measurements in hostels

5.         Three forums will be conducted in the coming week for Department/unit heads, Safety Coordinators and All staffs respectively to update everyone of the progresses, upgrade of all hygiene and prevention procedures, and preparations for resumption of classes (Venue and time to be announced)

6.         Definitive guidelines and recommendations to students, teachers, staffs, close contact to SARS patients, suspicious contact to SARS patients, departments and units will be drafted, dispatched and put up in the web page

7.         Very Good news that many of the frontline medical staffs, healthcare workers and our medical students have been discharged in the past 2 days and many more will be discharged in the coming few days.

8.         Regular updates on the clinical information and status of our affected students will be posted in the respective sections in this webpage- watch out for it!

9.         The current results from PWH experts are that 90% will have good response to the current treatment regime if they present early for treatment.

(March 28, 2003)

Suspension of all teachings in CUHK Campus (Mar 29 to Apr 6)

Vice Chancellor and AAPC have announced the suspension of all undergraduate teachings (including Students of the Medical Faculty and taught Postgraduate programme) ON CAMPUS with effect from March 29 to April 6, 2003 for total of 9 days.

During the class suspension period, the Task Force urges all students to, as far as possible, stay home and use the week as a ‘reading week’. If they need to leave home, they should avoid crowded places to evade infection. They should observe all the hygiene measures recommended for the prevention of SARS at home and at any other places.  

Students and staff who have contact with infected relatives or patients need to stay away from university for the whole period of suspension of classes and observe closely the guidelines and hygiene measures.

For those students remaining in the hostels - they should also observe all the hygiene measures recommended for the prevention of SARS.

During the suspension period, major coordinated efforts would be made, including thorough disinfection and cleansing of all university buildings, premises, library, classrooms, hostels, canteens. The opening hours of the library would be announced. The canteens may take turn to close for the cleansing and disinfection.

The Task Force will also formulate and refines precautionary measures, guidelines and regulations for departments/units, staffs and students to be enforced strictly on resumption of classes on April 7.

The Task Force will keep you update on issues related to SARS regularly.