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MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
Number 1
Series of 2020

TO: The Holy Angel University Community
SUBJECT: University Update and Protocol Regarding the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

I write to ask for your cooperation in ensuring the health and safety of the entire university community in light of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak that began in China and has now spread to Hong Kong, Macao, and 25 other countries, including the Philippines.

Background Information

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that the rapidly spreading 2019-nCoV outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern because of the human-to-human spread in multiple countries. Thus far, WHO has not declared 2019-nCoV as a global pandemic. To date, there are 34,883 confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in 28 countries and economies, of which 3,419 are new cases. China, Hong Kong, and Macao, collectively, account for 34,582 (99.1%) of the total confirmed cases and 3,401 (99.5%) of new cases.

To date, the Philippines currently has three confirmed cases and 264 patients under investigation (PUI). The three nCoV-associated deaths in the Philippines consist of two PUIs and one confirmed case. Central Luzon has 30 PUIs, of whom three have been discharged (cleared). It is important to note that, at this time, Holy Angel University does not have a single PUI or confirmed case of 2019-nCoV.

There is no shortage of disinformation or fake news associated with 2019-nCoV. The University has begun circulating on social media information about how to keep ourselves healthy and safe; this information has been carefully vetted and approved prior to release. I also urge you to keep yourself informed by bookmarking and regularly visiting the following credible sites that provide daily or regular situation summaries about 2019-nCoV:

• Department of Health: https://www.doh.gov.ph/2019-nCov
• U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html

In an abundance of vigilance, Holy Angel University is implementing a number of precautionary measures, which will be presented in detail in the remainder of this Memorandum Circular.

Prevention at the Individual Level

The remainder of this Memorandum Circular will frequently refer to “influenza-like” or “flu-like” symptoms. By “flu-like symptoms” is meant fever (temperature of 38.0 degrees C or higher) and any or a combination of the following symptoms of respiratory illness: cold, cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath.

The Department of Health and other medical authorities have released several recommendations aimed at contracting 2019-nCoV. Let me reiterate them.
1. Cover your mouth and nose with facial tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you do not have facial tissue, cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow.

2. Wash your hands often, especially after shaking hands with others and after coughing or sneezing. Hand disinfectants, which have at least 70% alcohol content, may be used if there is no ready access to soap and water.

3. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, especially after contact with others, coughing or sneezing.

4. Avoid close contact—defined as less than one-meter distance—with people who are ill or have flu-like symptoms.

5. Stay home if you have flu-like symptoms and consult your primary care provider taking note of the severity and length of your symptoms. Do not return to the campus until you have had 24 hours without a fever.

Preventive Measures Regarding Student Health and Safety

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and the Basic Education Department (BED) have instructed all class presidents to classify their classmates according to the following categories:
1. Have recently traveled to China, Hongkong or Macao, and are now manifesting flu-like symptoms like cold, cough and fever;
2. Have recently traveled to China, Hongkong or Macao, but do not show flu-like symptoms;
3. Have not recently traveled to China, Hongkong or Macao, but show flu-like symptoms; and
4. Have not recently traveled to China, Hongkong or Macao, and do not show flu-like symptoms.

The University shall enforce the following protocols for these identified students: (1) Students who have recently traveled to China, Hong Kong or Macao, and are now manifesting flu-like symptoms
They will be sent to the University Medical Clinic’s isolation room for evaluation by the University Physician, and sent home for self-quarantine and online lessons for a maximum of ten (10) days. During this time, the University shall submit the names of these students to the local Department of Health (DOH) for monitoring and assistance. Upon return from imposed quarantine, these students shall report to the University Medical Clinic for clearance.

(2) Students who have recently traveled to China, Hong Kong or Macao, but do not show flu-like symptoms
They will be required to cover their mouth and nose (with a surgical mask or any improvised equivalent, including handkerchief and tissue paper) and wash their hands frequently with soap and water during their stay on campus. Further, they should report to the class president as soon as they start showing flu-like symptoms.

(3) Students who have not recently traveled to China, Hong Kong or Macao, but show symptoms
They will be sent to the University Medical Clinic for determination if their condition warrants self-quarantine:

(a) If “Yes,” they will be sent home and given online lessons for a maximum of ten (10) days, after which they will report to the University Medical Clinic for clearance; and

(b) If “No,” they will be given medication, and required to cover their mouth and nose (with a surgical mask or any improvised equivalent, including handkerchief and tissue paper), and wash their hands frequently with soap and water during their stay on campus. Further, they should report to the class president as soon as they start showing flu-like symptoms.

(4) Students who have not recently traveled to China, Hong Kong or Macao, and do not show symptoms

They will be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose (with a surgical mask or any improvised equivalent, including handkerchief and tissue paper) and wash their hands frequently with soap and water during their stay on campus. Further, they should report to the class president as soon as they start showing flu-like symptoms.

OSA has also asked all accredited student organizations, college student councils, and other student groups to donate free improvised masks for their respective members and constituents who need them. Likewise, sewing classes in the Basic Education Department shall produce improvised masks for high school and elementary students. The University will put up a booth where students can get free improvised masks and access alcohol from dispensers.

Restrictions on International Travel

The severity of the 2019-nCoV outbreak varies across the 28 countries/economies afflicted by the virus. In the Philippines thus far, there is one confirmed case for every 36,038,872 persons. In comparison, there is one confirmed case for every 41,504 persons in China, whereas there is an average of one confirmed case for every 10,332,799 persons in the 25 countries outside China, Hong Kong, and Macao. Of the latter 25 countries, 13 countries have more than one confirmed case for every 10.3 million persons. These countries are as follows (in decreasing order of severity):
• Singapore
• United Arab Emirates
• Taiwan
• Australia
• Malaysia
• Republic of Korea
• Thailand
• Japan
• Canada
• Finland
• Germany
• Vietnam
• Sweden

In view of the above statistics, the following restrictions on international travel are hereby promulgated and, unless otherwise indicated, take effect until March 31, 2020:
1. There shall be no university-sanctioned travel to China, Hong Kong, or Macao until further notice. This travel restriction shall be coterminous with the travel ban that the Philippine Government has recently imposed.
2. Proposed visits to Holy Angel University by anyone either from China, Hong Kong or Macao, or who has traveled to or through China, Hong Kong or Macao are strongly discouraged at this time.
3. Travel for business or personal reasons to the following countries is strongly discouraged: Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Australia, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Japan, Canada, Finland, Germany, Vietnam, and Sweden. Students who plan to travel to these countries for personal reasons must inform the University Medical Clinic and the OSA. Faculty and non-teaching personnel who plan on traveling to these countries for personal reasons should notify the Human Resource Management Office.
4. Faculty and staff, including the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, planning a campus visit (after March 31, 2020) by a person or organization from China, Hong Kong, Macao, or any of the countries listed in item #3 above must contact the Office of International Affairs for endorsement and the Office of the President for final approval. Before coming onto campus, these visitors must disclose where they have been, and must complete a screening questionnaire that will be provided by the University Medical Clinic.

Preventive and Related Actions by University Units

The Campus Services and Development Office shall install permanent alcohol dispensers outside restrooms and other strategic spots on campus, including the University entrances for visitors. The Human Resource Management Office shall require all office heads to ensure that alcohol, soap and other disinfecting agents are accessible in their respective workplaces.

All faculty shall ensure that they are able to deliver course instruction for the remainder of the semester even without face-to-face meetings using Learning Management Systems (e.g., Aralinks, Canvas, Edmodo, Moodle, Neo), Google Classroom, Facebook, and other online methods.

Administrators shall review their scheduled activities—on- and off-campus—and recommend which shall push through. In addition to the provisions of the “Restrictions on International Travel” stated above, all travels and visits to the campus during the period ending April 30, 2020, are strongly discouraged. Exceptions to this restriction are site visits pertaining to accreditation, quality assurance, and legal and regulatory compliance.

The Campus Ministry Office shall observe the safety measures for liturgical and para-liturgical services that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has issued. The Institute for Christian Formation and Social Integration (ICFSI) has reiterated these guidelines in ICFSI Memorandum No. 4, Series of 2020, by which reference is incorporated into this Memorandum Circular.

The Marketing Office has created an HAU nCoV Bulletin on social media for regular updates, announcements and instructions to combat fake news and to help stem panic and mass hysteria.

Finally, the University President reserves the option to order a lockdown of the University if the situation warrants it. Should this scenario occur, all faculty members shall conduct online classes for all their subjects to avoid extending the academic year.

Concluding Note

The above protocol seeks to help to significantly decrease the risk of 2019-nCoV to the Holy Angel University community. The protocol shall be continuously reviewed and improved as more information about the 2019-nCoV outbreak becomes available. We very much appreciate everyone working together to keep our university community healthy and safe, and sustain our mission of transforming our students into persons of conscience, competence, and compassion – all for the greater glory of God!

Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted, pray for us. Saint Raphael the Archangel, pray for us. Our Holy Guardian Angels, guide us and protect us. Laus Deo semper!

Luis María R. Calingo, Ph.D. University President

February 10, 2020 Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin

Download PDF version here: http://bit.ly/2OEYVO8