Updates on COVID-19

March 13, 2020

If you have concerns about exposure to COVID-19, call the NM Department of Health Hotline at 1-885-600-3453.

For the latest information and resources on COVID-19 visit:

The New Mexico Department of Health

The World Health Organization (WHO)

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 

For updates concerning the School of Architecture and Planning--click here.

March 13, 2020

Due to COVID-19, students will be on an extended Spring Break through April 5, 2020. More details on how this will impact faculty and staff will be forthcoming. Please continue checking unm.edu/coronavirus/ for the most up-to-date information.

March 10, 2020

From the UNM President's Letter to UNM Students, Faculty and Staff:

Regarding Travel
The impacted countries and regions continue to evolve on a daily basis, as does our scientific knowledge of this virus. You can keep up with the spread of the virus by visiting the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.

We know that aggressive public health procedures, including curtailing travel, can prevent the spread of the disease and we must take all precautions to ensure the health of our community.

UNM is canceling all university-related travel to CDC Level 2 and 3 countries and domestic areas where a state of emergency has been declared. You can find a list of those countries here. Many major conferences have already been canceled nationally and internationally. At present, university-related domestic travel is not permitted to specific locations where a state of emergency has been declared. These states are as follows, to date: RI, NY, CA, WA, FL, OR, MD, UT, NJ and KY. Exceptions may be considered based on extenuating circumstances but will require approval from the appropriate Executive Vice President. Please be aware these locations can change rapidly and university-related travel might be canceled at the last minute. Supervisors (for employees), the Dean of Students (main campus students) or Student Affairs offices (HSC and branch campus students) must be notified of any travel to any state with a COVID-19 related State of Emergency.

The following are recommended for after-travel:­

Given the rapidly changing nature of the virus, those who travel out-of-state on personal or university-related travel may be asked to undergo a 14-day self-isolation off campus upon return.

We are issuing guidelines that include requirements that you register all international travel via a database that will be available athttp://www.unm.edu/coronavirus/ within the next 48 hours, and that you must notify your supervisor (including chiefs, chairs and deans) if you have traveled abroad to a CDC Level 2 or 3 country or an area with a COVID-19 state of emergency declaration. Supervisors will assist in providing relevant information (dates of travel, locations visiting, point of re-entry) to designated university experts and will facilitate connections between the employee and expert. Advice may include self-isolation for the faculty, staff or student and close family members and/or testing at a health facility.

Students, staff and faculty in self-isolation will be encouraged to work and study remotely and supervisors will be given flexibility on the type of leave granted depending on the employee’s specific situation. If employees become sick, sick leave or FMLA should be used. Again, any person who develops fever, cough, shortness of breath or other signs of serious illness should call their health care provider and self-isolate.

Regarding the Potential of Community-Acquired Spread
Students, faculty or staff who develop a fever, cough and shortness of breath should not come to the University and should follow CDC guidelines for contacting their health care provider. Be mindful that a variety of respiratory viruses are currently active that might require medical attention, even without a COVID-19 exposure. Students, faculty or staff who are diagnosed with COVID-19must remain at home for at least 14 days or until 24 hours after symptoms, including fever, resolve completely.

Students, faculty or staff who learn that they have come into contact with a person who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 should alert the appropriate person per the attached guidelines. They must remain on home quarantine for 14 days and follow guidance from their healthcare provider.

Students, staff and faculty who are self-isolating will be encouraged to work or participate in classes remotely and ill employees should utilize sick leave or FMLA.

Regarding University-Hosted Events
We have already received inquiries about UNM-hosted events scheduled to occur in the coming months. We are compiling a list of all UNM-hosted events contemplated for March and April. If you are hosting an event with more than 30 attendees please check the UNM Coronavirus website for guidance and to provide details of the event. This should include location, number of participants, international attendees expected, length of event, guest speakers and their home states or countries and other relevant information.

Each event will be evaluated by health care experts based on the CDC and WHO guidelines for the areas from which attendees are coming. For all events, communication with attendees about precautions prior to travel, hand-sanitizer, bleach wipes, and a written plan for managing any participants who develop a fever must be in place.

In the event that community-acquired spread begins occurring across the country, we will follow CDC recommendations for cancellation of events.

Please note that this is an evolving situation and we will continue to provide further guidance as things change. I want to thank each of you for doing your part to stop the spread of the virus.

Please remember to:

  • Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
  • Cover your cough with your elbow or a tissue
  • Throw away a tissue after use in an appropriate receptacle
  • Sanitize common areas with disinfectant (such as Lysol wipes)
  • Be considerate of others and stay home if you are sick
  • Avoid handshakes, consider elbow bumps

Sincerely,

Garnett S. Stokes
President