Amy A. Myers, M.D. amy.myers@fandm.edu
Thu, Oct 29, 1:44 PM
New Guidance and Safety Reminders for F&M Community
The Student Wellness Center and the Office of Human Resources want to provide our campus community with updated information about COVID-19.
First and foremost, we would like to commend everyone who is diligently following the mitigating behaviors of mask wearing, physical distancing and frequent hand washing. Our rate of positive cases has been extremely low.
Nonetheless, we want to remind everyone of the importance of continuing to follow these behaviors, especially because several recent updates make it all the more important. The number of new cases in Lancaster County has been steadily increasing over the past several weeks with the highest reported per capita rate (157 new cases per 100,000 population) over the past two weeks. Hospitalizations locally have also been on the rise.
The CDC updated its guidelines this month, including an updated definition of a close contact. The new definition is as follows:
Close Contact: Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. That means that having three, five-minute conversations within a 6 ft radius and within a 24-hour period with someone who tests positive or is under suspicion of COVID would classify you as a close contact, and result in a 14-day quarantine.
Let’s also remember that flu season is upon us. If you have not already gotten a flu shot, please do so. If you are following the mitigating behaviors for COVID, you will also significantly reduce your risk of getting the flu!
We want to remind everyone that physical distancing is still a critical safety measure for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Please be diligent when you are interacting with others, and maintain the six-foot distance between you and others. Wash your hands frequently, and keep your hands away from your face as much as possible.
For our student population, we recommend avoiding any group settings off campus between now and when you leave to go home. The Thanksgiving holiday is coming up, and many will be traveling home or visiting family who might be in a high-risk category for illness. You do not want to take the virus home to friends and loved ones, and you do not want to be stuck in isolation or quarantine over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Our community has been doing an excellent job of maintaining and keeping our campus safe and healthy. Please, don’t let up now!
Sincerely,
Amy A. Myers, MD
Managing Physician
Penn Medicine / LG Health at Franklin and Marshall College Student Wellness Center
Melanie DeSantis
Assistant Vice President
Human Resources
Amy A. Myers, MD
Managing Physician
LG Health at Franklin and Marshall College Student Wellness Center
Team Physician Franklin and Marshall College
931 Harrisburg Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17603
PH: 717-544-9051
F : 717-735-9234
This email message and all attachments transmitted with it may contain legally privileged and confidential information intended solely for the use of the addressee. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any reading, dissemination, distribution, copying, or other use of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone (717-291-4082) or by e-mail, and delete this message and all copies and backups thereof. Thank you