Infectious Disease Preparedness

Important Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update to USG Community

March 10, 2020

Here at the Universities at Shady Grove, we are continuing to monitor a wide range of issues associated with the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

We are working in close collaboration with the University System of Maryland (USM) and with our nine partner universities that offer classes at USG, in order to ensure we take all necessary precautions to protect students, faculty, staff and guests within our campus community. At the same time, we are working to do all we can to allow the teaching and learning process to continue as best as possible.

Today, USM Chancellor Jay Perman provided recommended guidelines to universities around the state regarding class instruction and other operations on university campuses over the next several weeks. This includes next week, which is spring break for each of the universities.

In his statement, Dr. Perman noted:

“I strongly urge every university to prepare for students to remain off campus—for at least two weeks—following the end of spring break. (USM spring break begins Saturday, March 14, and ends Sunday, March 22.) During those two weeks or longer, all USM universities should be prepared to deliver instruction remotely.

Given this guidance, I understand that USM presidents may need to cancel classes one or more days this week so that students, faculty, and staff can plan for this change in schedule post-spring break. Preparation for campus departures and online instruction will vary among universities, and each USM president therefore has discretion to ensure that faculty and staff have adequate time to set these plans in motion. While this means that some classes may be canceled this week, all campuses will remain open before, during, and after spring break.”

As a result of this guidance, all of the universities within USM – including the nine universities that operate and offer classes at USG – are determining and announcing their own specific plans regarding  class schedules and the move to online delivery for all possible classes during the two-week period following spring break, from March 23- April 6.

Some -- but not all – of the universities within USM have announced the cancellation of classes for the rest of this week, in order to allow them to prepare for transitioning to online class instruction and service delivery. We urge the students, faculty and university program staff who are at USG to consult with their universities or check their email and websites for additional details about how online classes and instructional services will be delivered by each individual university.

While the USG campus remains open at this time, this public health crisis continues to evolve rapidly and we urge all of our students, faculty and staff to be prepared in advance for the possibility of further changes in daily operations and/or services on campus. Per the university system’s guidance, we are not encouraging students to come to USG during spring break next week or during the two-week period that follows. We are working on plans to deliver as many of our services for students online during that time and will make that information available on our website.

We will continue to keep the USG community updated with additional information as it becomes available. Thank you once again for your attention on this important matter.

Dr. Stewart Edelstein
USG Executive Director

Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Preparedness Letter to USG Community

March 3, 2020

Dear USG Campus Community:

We are continuing to work closely with the University System of Maryland, our partner universities and officials in Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services to monitor the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. To keep apprised on any issues related to COVID-19, we have established an internal task force comprised of representatives from USG departments that are working in conjunction with USM and the County.

As of this time, there are still no confirmed cases of the virus anywhere within the university system, the state of Maryland or the greater Washington metropolitan region.

With that said, new information continues to come out each day about the spread of the virus, both internationally and within the United States. We urge everyone within the USG community to remain vigilant in taking precautions to protect yourself and others, and to follow the most up-to-date advice and guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This important information can be found on the CDC website.

The CDC has also made updates, in recent weeks, to the guidelines regarding travel outside the U.S.

For the latest local updates and information, we also urge you to check the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services website.

As noted in our last communication, here at USG, we are taking a number of preventative steps to protect those within our campus community. We have asked our housekeeping team to increase the cleaning of high-touch surfaces and restrooms in our campus buildings. We have also added more hand-sanitizing stations throughout the campus, to aid individuals’ efforts to maintain hygiene that reduces transmission of viruses. As a best practice for overall health in cold and influenza season, the CDC recommends that individuals receive the influenza vaccination and engage in everyday, preventative measures to prevent the spread of germs and avoid illnesses. Among the recommended tips:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick.
• If you are sick, please stay home and rest. If you are sick and have a fever, the CDC recommends that individuals remain home for an additional 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever. 
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately discard the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Take any anti-viral medication prescribed to you as instructed.

Anyone with questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 may call the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to speak with a nurse at the Dennis Avenue Health Center. The telephone number to call is 240-777-1755, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm.

One final note:  In addition to the information we are providing students, faculty and staff on the USG campus, you may also be receiving helpful communications about the coronavirus directly from your home institutions. These communications include travel guidelines and information for students who may be participating in opportunities to study abroad, particularly in countries that have seen higher numbers of COVID-19 cases.

Please be sure to keep yourself informed as any new information or guidance becomes available on this important health matter. We will continue to keep you monitored if there is any change in the situation that would impact the USG campus community. The home page of the USG website has been updated to include a link to the latest updates.

If you have any additional questions about any issues at USG in relation to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), please contact either John Brandt, Safety and Security Manager (jbrandt@umd.edu) or Nico Washington, Chief Operating Officer (nico@umd.edu).

Thank you for your attention.

Dr. Stewart Edelstein
USG Executive Director