UPDATE
Southern Wesleyan University continues to closely monitor COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
As of today March 27, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
- There are no confirmed cases at SWU and 6 confirmed case in Pickens County.
- There are 456 confirmed cases per the CDC in SC, (21 in Anderson County, 51 in Greenville County and 2 in Oconee County).
- There are 2307 negative tests.
For the latest up to date information in SC check the SC DHEC website
https://www.scdhec.gov/health/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/monitoring-testing-covid-19
For questions please contact the Southern Wesleyan University Health Center at 864.644.5131 or 864.644.5134.
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Southern Wesleyan University has maintained an updated Infectious Disease Response Plan for many years. The purpose of the Infectious Disease Response Plan is to assist Southern Wesleyan University in Preparing for and responding to a possible infectious disease outbreak. This plan will assist the University in continuing to provide services to our students, faculty, and staff to prevent the spread of disease on campus during an outbreak. The University will also work with local and state agencies to ensure the best response possible for the health and safety of the campus, local and state populations. The plan is divided into three levels of response preparedness. Key departments on campus will have a separate protocol for each level to maximize an effective response to the infectious disease outbreak. Communication and cooperation with all members of the campus community are paramount to the success of this plan. The response levels for key departments are as follows:
Level 1
No local disease transmission reports. Business as usual; regular services continue. (campus prepares behind the scenes for a possible infectious disease response).
Level 2
Increased awareness and prevention – presence of minimal number of cases of disease.
Level 3
Significant disease transmission.
Southern Wesleyan University will monitor reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Health and Control (DHEC), American College Health Association (ACHA) and any local and statewide warnings. SWU will follow their recommendations as closely as possible while implementing the SWU Infectious Disease Response Plan.
Southern Wesleyan University is currently at a Level 1 in response to the Coronavirus.
Coronavirus information
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others circulating among animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread among people. Several coronaviruses cause the common cold. Other types of previous coronavirus outbreaks have included severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”). Reported illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, including illness resulting in death. There are currently (as of today) no reported cases in South Carolina.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to a person with coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of Breath
Contact your healthcare professional if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person know to have COVID-19 or if you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19.
- China
- Iran
- Italy
- Japan
- South Korea
As you plan your spring break and summer travel keep in mind the following:
- SWU will communicate any emergency information through the SWU Alert System.
- CDC is advising traveling on any cruises at your own risk.
- Your best prevention of illness is below.
Everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs:
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after you are fever-free (without the use of fever reducing medications).
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the tissue immediately after using it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water (using the time duration of singing happy birthday twice to yourself) and thoroughly dry your hands. If soap and water are unavailable use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your face – eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way!
- Don’t share drinks, food with others.
If you are sick and must miss class you, should communicate with your professors immediately. This is for both traditional on campus and online students. Please let your professor know if you are missing classes due to illness.
The spread of the Coronavirus is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.
How to get additional reliable information: