The following message was sent to undergraduate parents and families

Dear Wake Forest parents and families,

Given the considerable media attention on coronavirus (COVID-19), and in keeping with our Family Communications Philosophy, I am writing today to share some information about coronavirus (COVID-19).

With cases of coronavirus being recently confirmed in Italy’s Lombardy (i.e. Milan area), Veneto (i.e. Venice area) and other regions in the country, Wake Forest has been communicating with students who are abroad. You can read the following messages:

2/25 email to parents/families of students at Casa Artom about tightening travel restrictions across Italy and the need for students who travel beyond Venice to self-isolate to monitor for symptoms outside of Casa Artom at their own expense.

2/24 email to parents/families of students at Casa Artom in Venice about local travel restrictions.

2/24 email to all students studying abroad in Europe about travel restrictions to Italy.

With Spring Break coming up March 7-15, we know there could be students who are planning trips abroad. The communication below went out to students, faculty, and staff today about Spring Break or other planned travel. It is important for parents and families – as well as students – to be aware of travel restrictions and the potential risks associated with travel to these areas.

One of the great challenges of the coronavirus situation is that things can change very rapidly and the recommendations in place today might change tomorrow as new information is gained. We encourage any students and families who might be traveling to stay alert to State Department travel advisories or restrictions, airline cancellations, and recommendations from the CDC.

It is important to know that as of this date, no cases of coronavirus have been identified in North Carolina, and that Wake Forest remains vigilant about the health and safety of our campus. Our Crisis Management Team has been actively monitoring the situation and is in close contact with public health officials.

We will continue to update our coronavirus website as new information emerges. We wanted parents and families to be aware of all the information we have, and what has been shared with your students.

With best wishes,

Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (‘92, MA ‘94)
Executive Director of Family Communication and Volunteer Management

———————————–

The following message is sent on behalf of Dr. Cecil Price, director of the Student Health Service:

The new coronavirus (COVID-19) that recently emerged in China has been detected in a number of other locations around the world. Many cases of COVID-19 have been associated with travel to or from mainland China or close contact with a travel-related case, but sustained community spread has now been reported in Italy, Japan, and South Korea. Sustained community spread means that people have been infected with the virus, but how or where they became infected is not known, and the spread is ongoing.

Illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe. Signs and symptoms of infection include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Sore throat and diarrhea have also been reported in some patients. This new coronavirus has caused severe disease and death in patients who developed pneumonia. Risk factors for severe illness are not yet clear, although older adults and those with chronic medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness.

Because of these ongoing developments, the uncertainty of how this virus may spread to other locations, as well as the uncertainty of when and how governments may respond to this virus, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to evaluate their travel plans in the immediate future – including Spring Break – especially if they plan to travel to international locations. Risks of travel could include contracting the virus, having travel restrictions imposed by local governments and health authorities, being quarantined or physically isolated from others for extended periods of time (currently 14 days), or having to withdraw from academic programs because of these restrictions.

One of the challenges associated with the coronavirus situation is that things can change very rapidly; the recommendations in place currently might change if the virus spreads and as new information is gained. Wake Forest has a coronavirus website and it will be updated as new details emerge. We encourage any students and families who might be traveling to stay alert to State Department travel advisories or restrictions, airline cancellations, and recommendations from the CDC.

Sincerely,

Cecil D. Price, MD
Director, Student Health Service

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support.