Is there a vaccine?

Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19 infection. (source: CDC). There currently are some experimental drugs that are being investigated for treatment for coronavirus but it is unlikely that they will be ready for use in humans anytime soon.

What options are available for treatment?

There is no specific antiviral treatment for individuals infected with the COVID-19 infection, therefore individuals should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. Just like other infectious diseases, sick individuals should rest as much as possible, drink lots of fluids, and avoid contact with others.

What do I do if I am feeling sick?

If you have symptoms of fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing and in the last 14 days you:

• Traveled to China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, or Japan
• Had close contact with someone who had traveled to an affected region in China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, or Japan and had respiratory symptoms.

You should:

• Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
• If you are a student meeting the conditions above, to contact Beu Health Center please call ahead at (309) 298-1888. Do not just show up at the health center without calling first.
• If you are not a student, please call your physician or medical provider for advice. If you do not have a medical provider please call McDonough District Hospital at (309) 833-4101 for a list of providers accepting patients.
• Avoid contact with others.
• Do not travel while sick. Please do not get on public transportation or just arrive at the campus health service. Call instead (309) 298-1888 to help with transportation if needed
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

What can I do for prevention against COVID-19?

Since there is no vaccine for the disease, the CDC advises that the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

Here are everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

• 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.
• The CDC at this time does not recommend the use of surgical masks for uninfected persons in the general public.

What is WIU’s Beu Health Center doing about COVID-19?

• Beu Health Center has been in contact with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and is following advice from the IDPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• As part of the plan, we have been screening all patients with respiratory symptoms for their travel history to China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, or Japan in the preceding 14 days.

What are the WIU campuses doing about COVID-19?

• Preparations campus-wide are being made in anticipation of a possible COVID-19 outbreak on campus.
• Educational information has been created and currently running on digital signage in the residence halls. In addition, updated information regarding health hygiene measures suggested above has been published and provided to students.
• Sanitizing stations have been distributed throughout campus and high touch areas are being emphasized to cleaning crews across campus.
• Communication with other state and regional institutions continues to happen daily.

What does WIU clean and disinfect?

The University’s custodial cleaning program uses an EPA-registered disinfectant to clean touch points, public and common area restrooms, and kitchens daily.

There are dispenser stations throughout campus containing hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer can help prevent the spread of the virus, though proper hand-washing technique is deemed to be more effective by the CDC.

WIU Building Services personnel have also implemented extra measures to clean and disinfect surfaces in public areas that are touched frequently. This includes surfaces such as door handles, banisters, and elevator buttons. It is also recommended that all departments purchase single use disinfectant wipes for human touch points within their work spaces such as keyboards, public counters, credit card readers, phones, and shared surfaces and items. We will continue to monitor recommendations from the CDC for preventing the spread of the virus.