coronavirus, suny broome update

The SUNY Broome Office of Health and Safety would like to follow-up on the message sent out on January 28 — Health and Safety Update: Coronavirus and Flu Season

We continue to monitor the growing global concern regarding the spread and potential impact of coronavirus. SUNY Broome is aware that several individuals in New York State have been tested for coronavirus (COVID-19), a newly recognized illness that can cause fever and respiratory symptoms. However, only one case has been confirmed and it is not in our area. Although the SUNY Broome campus appears to be unaffected at this time, we will remain vigilant and respond as needed.

SUNY Broome is implementing precautionary and preventive measures to our day-to-day operations. The Health and Safety Office, campus Facilities Department and the Student Village, are coordinating efforts on preventative sanitation procedures. This includes disinfecting commonly used areas such as door handles, stair railings, and surfaces. Hand-sanitizer dispensers have also been installed at the entrances of every building and outside of every bathroom campus-wide. Posters regarding hand washing, prevention of germ spreading, respiratory etiquette, and fact sheets about the virus have been posted around campus as well. These documents are also attached below.

Anyone in the campus community who has traveled through or to outbreak-affected areas in the past two weeks and who are experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath should seek treatment, and call ahead to the facility where they will seek care. According to the CDC, while most cases are in China, infections have been confirmed in 59 other countries.

We would also like to remind you that Influenza is spread in much the same way. However, the coronavirus is not airborne, but rather spread through respiratory droplets. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the droplets may land in the mouths or noses of others, or could be inhaled by those within close contact (about 6 feet). It may also be spread by coming in contact with surfaces or objects contaminated by the virus and then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes. Coronavirus is not thought to be as common as infection by person to person means. Reduce your chance of catching or spreading viruses by:

  • Getting the flu shot, if you haven’t already.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Gloves are recommended to be worn only in a hospital setting or when caring for a sick individual – again, the best way to stop the spread of infection is by washing your hands.
  • Not touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with those who are sick.
  • Staying home when you’re sick. If you have the flu, don’t go in public – other than to seek medical care – until your temperature falls under the 100-degree mark for at least 24 hours. If you’re sick, contact your supervisors/professors to let them know that you are ill.
  • Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and then throwing the tissue in the trash.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Practice social distancing or avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

For the most current information on COVID-19:

SUNY Broome’s Student Health Services are located in Science Building Room 102, and can be contacted at (607) 778-5181 or at healthservices@sunybroome.edu.


If you’d like to read more about the information SUNY Central has compiled, please visit https://www.suny.edu/health-alert/
Help keep campus virus-free!

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