Symptoms for the COVID-19 are very similar to seasonal flu and include fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath. Because it is cold and flu season, it is important to have any respiratory illness evaluated by a health-care provider. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests taking precautions in order to stay healthy and safe by:
- Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds several times a day
- Avoiding hand contact with your face.
- Covering your mouth and nose with the crook of your elbow when you sneeze or cough.
- Taking alternative means of transportation (if possible) by walking or riding a bicycle in order to minimize the chance of community spread.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Staying home when you are sick.
What to do if you display symptoms
BMCC students, faculty and staff who exhibit virus symptoms or suspect that they have been exposed to COVID-19 should follow the Protocol on Infectious Disease Notification, and notify BMCC Nurse Penelope Jordan at (212) 220-8257 or pjordan@bmcc.cuny.edu). Nurse Jordan is the college’s Coronavirus Liaison to CUNY and is responsible for working with the Department of Health on the preliminary assessment of the needs of individuals who contact her.
To ensure that you have the most updated guidance and information regarding this situation, please visit BMCC’s Covid-19 Updates website to learn more about campus updates and resources on COVID-19. Faculty and staff with special medical concerns that may be affected by the virus should contact HR Director Gloria Chao at (212) 220-8304 or gchao@bmcc.cuny.edu).
If you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, 14 days after returning from a country under a CDC level 3 warning, or after close contact with someone who has recently traveled to them and is displaying these symptoms, you should immediately contact your health care provider. Your health care provider could screen you over the phone, and will work with public health officials to determine if you need to be tested for coronavirus. If, for any reason, you need help connecting to a health care provider, please call CUNY Campus Health Services; they can answer questions and make referrals. You can also call 3-1-1 to locate the closest city-operated hospital.
Anyone who is sick and exhibiting symptoms of acute respiratory illness is asked to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever [100.4° F (37.8° C) or greater using an oral thermometer] and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines.
