Updated: January 31, 2020 at 2:22pm EST
Dear NYFA Students, Faculty and Staff,
The New York Film Academy is committed to protecting the health and well being of its students, faculty and staff. We continue to monitor, daily, the recent outbreak of coronavirus in China, its incidence in the US and other parts of the world, information emerging on person-to-person transmission of the coronavirus (2019-nCoV), and recommended best practice for preventing the spread of virus.
Guidelines for Protecting the Health of the NYFA Community
The CDC maintains that the US is at low risk for a coronavirus outbreak. NYFA, to date, has received no reports of students, faculty, or staff infected or suspected to be infected with the coronavirus, or students, faculty or staff caring for or in close contact with individuals infected or suspected to be infected with the coronavirus. Nonetheless, NYFA is committed to following CDC and state and local health department guidelines to ensure the health of its community and prevent the spread of illness.
Guidelines for Students, Faculty and Staff With Symptoms of Respiratory Illness:
If you traveled to China within the past 14 days and you have a fever and cough or shortness of breath:
- Seek immediate medical assistance (locations for urgent care facilities in close proximity to the NY, LA and SB campuses are noted below)
- Tell your health care provider or the healthcare facility staff that you have travelled to China with the past 14 days. Adhere to the recommendations communicated to you by your health care provider.
- If you are being tested for the coronavirus, return home, stay home and do not venture to campus. Wear a mask should you need to leave your home and wear a mask if you, when home, are in close contact with others. Avoid sharing household items. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or into your sleeve. Dispose of the tissue in a lined trashcan and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid travel on public transportation (bus, subway, train, airplane). Await the results of your tests and abide by the medical instructions you receive from your healthcare provider. Monitor your symptoms and call your healthcare provider immediately if your symptoms are worsening. Contact NYFA staff (see below) for support and assistance.
- If you are not suspected to have the coronavirus and your healthcare provider suspects that you have a cold or flu, return home, stay home until you feel well, and when you return to campus, wear a mask if you are coughing and sneezing and follow the additional guidelines for good personal hygiene, noted below.
NYFA students, faculty and staff can receive same day medical assessment/treatment at the following facilities located in close proximity to campuses in NY, LA and Miami.
- New York: CityMD 24 Broad Street, NY NY 10005 tel. 646.647.1259
- LA: Burbank Urgent Care 3413 Pacific Ave. #110, Burbank, CA 91505 tel.818.953.4408
- Miami: Baptist Health Urgent Care 709 Alton Road Miami, FL 33139 tel.786.422.0184
Guidelines for Students, Faculty and Staff Without Symptoms of Respiratory Illness
NYFA continues to advise all students, faculty, and staff to adhere to the CDC general guidelines for good personal hygiene and prevention of the spread of all illness. These guidelines are noted below:
- 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 coughs or sneezes with a tissue (or sleeve), then throw the tissue in a lined trash can.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Follow general precautions during the winter flu season by getting the flu vaccination and taking antiviral medication, if prescribed.
This health advisory and protocol will be revised as new information on the coronavirus becomes publically available. For more immediate CDC updates regarding the coronavirus and guidelines for response, please click on the link below:
https://www.cdc.gov/
What follows is a summary of current information gleaned from CDC and WHO reports, dated, January 31, 2020.
Incidence and Public Health Risk
The outbreak of the coronavirus originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak is a global health emergency. With this designation, the WHO can urgently and effectively appeal for increased funding to support research, development and implementation of protocols and treatments needed to contain virus transmission across the globe.
According to CDC and WHO reports, locations with confirmed 2019-nCoV cases include Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Australia, Britain, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Tibet, The Republic of Korea, United Arab Emirates, United States and Vietnam. Globally, there are nearly 9800 confirmed 2019-nCoV cases; the vast majority of those individuals infected with the virus are presently located in China. Approximately 100 of the individuals infected with 2019 –nCoV are located in 19 countries outside of China.
As of January 31, there are a total of six confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in the United States (WA, IL, CA, AZ). On January 30, the United States reported its first confirmed instance of person-to-person spread. The sixth US resident confirmed to be infected with the virus is the husband of the woman who was the first reported case in Illinois. The woman had returned to Chicago from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the virus.
The CDC maintains that, at this time, the virus is NOT currently spreading in the community in the United States. Both the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are tirelessly engaged in research to improve understanding of the virus’s transmissibility and its severity of risk to the health of individuals and communities.
Potential Health Risk to Individuals
It is believed by some scientists that the 2019 n-CoV virus poses less of severe health risk that did the other coronaviruses, SARS and MERS. As reported by China, approximately 20% of individuals infected with the 2019-nCoV virus become severely ill. As of January 31, the total number of deaths in China from the coronavirus is 213 and the fatality rate of the coronavirus is less than 3%. In comparison, the fatality rates for SARS and MERS were 11% and 35%, respectively. No deaths from illness caused by the 2019-nCoV virus have been reported outside of China.
The majority of individuals who become infected with the coronavirus develop symptoms of mild severity.
Detection of Infection
Presently, a 2019-nCoV diagnosis cannot be confirmed at medical sites receiving and caring for individuals presenting with respiratory illness. Specimens collected at health care facilities across the world are shipped to the CDC for testing for respiratory pathogens. Hence, individuals suspected of infection wait approximately 4-5 days for a confirmed diagnosis. The CDC is hoping to provide testing centers across the globe, however this goal will likely take two weeks or more to accomplish.
Prevention of Infection
Presently, there is no vaccine for this virus or other coronaviruses. Prevention protocols are based on screening, early identification, and isolation of symptomatic individuals suspected and confirmed for infection.
The CDC has issued a Travel Warning Level 3, advising travelers to avoid all nonessential travel to China. The State Department has issued a Warning Level 4: Do Not Travel in regard to travel to China.
The CDC has increased the number of screening centers at US airports. Health screenings are conducted, to date, at 20 US airports, including Los Angeles International Airport, New York JFK, Miami International, and Newark International.
Although how the virus spreads from one person to another has not been clearly defined, it is believed that the coronavirus is transmitted through coughing and sneezing, as is the case with influenza and other respiratory viruses. The prevention guidelines noted in this health alert are based on CDC, WHO and state and local health departments, designed to incorporate emerging information presented by scientists studying the outbreak in China, and leaders of the WHO and CDC.
NYFA Resources
Please report concerns regarding your health and/or the health of other NYFA students, faculty or staff members to one of the following individuals, depending on the campus where they study or work.
Students:
Sandra Schein, Dean of Students, NY: sandra.schein@nyfa.edu
Susan Ashe, Dean of Students, LA: susan.ashe@nyfa.edu
Maylen Dominguez, Campus Dean, SB: maylen.dominguez@nyfa.edu
Faculty/Staff:
Pankti Shah, HR Director (LA): pankti.shah@nyfa.edu
Domingo Morales, Associate HR Director (NY, SoBE): domingo.morales@nyfa.
NYFA trusts that all members of its community will abide by these guidelines and do their part to ensure the health and wellness of our community.
NYFA Administration