Published at www.ufes.br on March 12th 2020 at 10:51 am

Since the beginning of this academic semester, the Central Administration of Ufes has been publicizing, through its institutional communication tools, information to the academic community about preventive measures against contamination by the new coronavirus (Covid-19).

However, a significant increase in the number of cases, in several countries, led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare, this Wednesday (11th), the existence of a current pandemic of the new coronavirus.

Therefore, although no suspected case has been reported in the campuses, the Central Administration of UFES, following the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, defined that:

Trips to countries which declared state of emergency, or places where the epidemic is at the peak of transmission, must be avoided;

Members of the academic community who came from risk areas must inform their departments about their arrival and, if they do not develop symptoms, they must be “quarantined” at home, for seven days.

If they develop any symptom, this period must be 14 days; in the event of contact with people with a confirmed case, even if the person developed no symptoms, one must stay home for 14 days.

The Central Administration also informs that, while there is no detected case of Covid-19 in the municipalities where the campuses of Ufes are located, the activities defined in the academic calendar will be maintained.

In the event of a confirmed case, the advice is to reinforce preventive measures at circulation spaces;

avoid the promotion of events with more than 150 participants; prioritize activities with the use of digital platforms/tools.

It is important to state that data about the disease are being monitored on a daily basis, in partnership with the Department of Epidemiology of the State Secretariat for Health, and other measures may be recommended, according to the development of the epidemic.

People who develop symptoms of respiratory diseases must seek medical attention directly at community health centers in municipalities, which are prepared to welcome and assess each case.

Meanwhile, we advise people to adopt the basic preventive measures, already publicized by UFES:

Wash and sanitize hands, in particular before eating, and after coughing or sneezing;

In relation to coughing and sneezing, one must use a facial tissue for hygiene, and dispose it after its use.

If you do not have a disposable tissue, cover your nose and mouth with the inner portion of the elbow, when sneezing or coughing;

Wash your hands every two hours and especially after using public equipment or facilities (means of transport, laboratories , gyms, computer and mice, among others);

Avoid touching the mucosa of eyes, nose and mouth;

When greeting, avoid close contact, such as kisses, hugs and handshakes;

Do not share personal objects such as cutlery, dishes, glasses or bottles;

Keep rooms ventilated;

Whenever possible, use hand sanitizer (alcohol 70%) to clean your hands;

We emphasize that individual risk is low at this moment, but preventive measures are essential to help slow/control the spread of disease.

There is no reason for panic, but we should reinforce self-care and caring for others around us, including attitudes related to not sharing fake news.

The Central Administration emphasizes that it is aware of the situation, working for the welfare of the academic community.

Central Administration of UFES