Thursday 27th February - 2020

Trinity has set up an expert working group to monitor the situation regarding a potential outbreak of Novel Coronavirus in Ireland. The health and well-being of our students and staff is paramount and below is our advice:

Avoid non-essential travel to China

In line with advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Trinity does not recommend that any students or staff travel to China until further notice and that any travel to China which is being planned does not go ahead at this time.

Trinity staff or students who are in China at present

Trinity recommends that those staff or students return to Ireland, subject to any travel restrictions which may be in place in China. If any staff member is unable to return to Ireland they should contact their line manager. If any student is unable to return to Ireland or has queries about issues on their return they should contact their personal Tutor or the Senior Tutor's Office on 353-1-896 2551 or stosec@tcd.ie

Advice for any persons returning from China

On arrival in Ireland from China, please contact your local Public Health Department promptly for advice on any measures that you may need to take for 14 days following your return.

If you have any symptoms of novel coronavirus, including cough, fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, on arrival or at any time in the 14 days following your return, please self-isolate straight away. Phone your GP, emergency department, or student health centre, rather than turning up in person. Make sure that, when you phone, you mention your recent return from China and they will arrange for you to get medical help.

If you are well and have had no significant contact with any confirmed case or healthcare facility you will be advised to watch out for any possible symptoms over the next 14 days, but can otherwise continue with your daily life and work.

If the Public Health doctor identifies that you had significant contact with anyone with novel coronavirus they will put in place monitoring arrangements for 14 days following your return. This will mean them contacting you daily to ensure you remain well.

Travelling to Italy

In light of the recent confirmed cases of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) in Italy, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has advised people not to travel to several Italian towns in affected areas. These are Codogno, Castiglione d'Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano. On this basis, Trinity would not recommend that any students or staff travel to these affected areas.

Travellers to Italy are advised to monitor developments regularly and to register on the TravelWise App with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Twitter handle: @dfatravelwise.

What are Coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that can cause illnesses. Some of these illnesses are very mild, like the common cold, while others are more severe, like SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

Novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV

A “novel coronavirus” means a new strain of coronavirus that has never been seen in humans before. The coronavirus recently identified in China is one of these. This new coronavirus is being named “2019–nCoV”.

Symptoms of novel coronavirus2019-nCoV

It can take up to 14 days for the symptoms of this2019-nCoVto appear. These symptoms include:

Fever (temperature of 38˚C or higher)

Cough

Breathing difficulties

Shortness of breath

Sore throat

Treatment of novel coronavirus2019-nCoV

There is no specific treatmentfor2019-nCoVat present. But the symptoms of the virus can be treated.

Advice for students returning to Ireland

If the person has not come from China or has not been in contact with a person with novel coronavirus, or has not attended a healthcare facility where patients with novel coronavirus are being treated, then no specific measures are needed.

No symptoms

For a person with no symptoms, there is no need for quarantine (keeping a well person separate from others) for up to 2 weeks after coming to Ireland. There are no restrictions regarding work or other activities.

If within the last 14 days, you have come to Ireland from Wuhan OR have been in contact with a person diagnosed with novel coronavirus OR have attended a healthcare facility where patients with novel coronavirus are being treated, you are asked to make contact with your local Department of Public Health by phone on 01 635 2145 for further advice.

Has symptoms

If any symptoms develop suggestive of acute respiratory illness, during or up to 14 days after travel from Wuhan, Hubei province you should:

stay at home and do not go to college.

seek medical attention and share your travel history with your health care provider.

Phone the doctor in advance rather than attending in person.

Phone your GP or the student health centre, rather than turning up in person.

The phone number for the College Health Service is 01 896 8555.

Make sure that, when you phone, you mention your recent travel. The student health centre will arrange for you to get medical help.

How to protect yourself from novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV

Wash your hands often with soap and water.

If you are coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Throw the used tissue away into a closed bin, and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your flexed (bent) elbow.

Avoid close contact with anyone who you know has cold or flu symptoms.

Check the travel advisories from the Department of Foreign Affairs prior to arranging

FURTHER INFORMATION FROM TCD CAN BE FOUND AT: https://www.tcd.ie/about/coronavirus/