GROSSMONT COLLEGE H1N1 FLU UPDATE

May 06, 2009

Please take a few moments to read over this brief update on the flu situation in the area and
also at our college.

The news is generally good from the Center for Disease Control  (CDC) and County Health Officials.  At this time, all the schools shut down in North San Diego County have reopened and indications are that this particular H1N1 flu strain is not as virulent as was initially feared. 

The college has been tracking student and employee illnesses.  At this time, there are no confirmed cases of H1N1 flu on campus.  There are, however, students who are ill with other viral conditions and who are concerned about becoming ill.   This is not unusual for this particularly stressful time of the semester.  Many of our students are sharing their concerns with faculty and staff.  The following information may be helpful to you as you respond to issues and concerns from our students or from other employees.

• Please encourage those students and employees who are sick to stay at home and seek medical attention as their situation and medical history warrant. 

• The possibility that H1N1 cases may result in campus closure is becoming more remote.  The CDC issued new guidelines indicating it is not recommended that a  school be closed for a suspected or confirmed case of H1N1 influenza unless the magnitude of staff/student absences interferes with the ability to operate. 

• The college is continuing to track student absences through the Health Services office to monitor any possible incidences of H1N1 flu.    If you know of students who have been ill or absent with flu-like symptoms, please contact health services with the name of the individual for tracking.  Please inform students that if they are confirmed to be ill, they should not return to your class until they have a doctor’s note that is presented to our Health Services area indicating that they are “clear” of illness.

• If students are present in your class and complain of flu-like symptoms, please refer them to our Health Services area (located in the administrative area, building 10, next to the Counseling Office).

• Everyone should be washing their hands frequently and also using alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.  GCCCD Risk Management is in the process of obtaining a supply of hand sanitizer and we will let you know when it arrives.

• Recommend that students check their email or the college website for updates.

• Collect up-to-date information that will allow you to communicate with your students by telephone or email if the situation should warrant. 

• Encourage students to talk with faculty about how they will make up  course work and complete their courses given their absences.

•  Faculty, please be flexible and work with students to complete their course as they are feeling a great deal of pressure to be present on campus even when ill.  While their commitment to their course is admirable, we would like to help curb the spread of any contagious disease at this time.

Thank you for your time and for assisting us in serving our students and safeguarding their health.