Visitor Policy and Steps to Make Gatherings Safer

February 8, 2022

Visitor Policy Update

In recognition of substantial improvement in numbers of hospitalizations and rates of COVID-19 infections in Connecticut and in our campus community compared to the beginning of the year, beginning tomorrow (Wednesday, February 9th), when you come to the Yale Health Center you will be allowed one companion for office visits.

Reminder: Everyone who enters the Yale Health Center must wear a mask and be screened for COVID-19 symptoms or recent positive COVID-19 test.

Steps Everyone Can Take to Make Gatherings Safer

If you are attending a gathering, think about the steps you need to take to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19.

• Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. If you or your family needs to get vaccinated or “boosted”, schedule today.
• If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and are ages 2 or older, you should wear a mask indoors in public.
• In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors. In areas of substantial or high transmission, people might choose to wear a mask outdoors when in sustained close contact with other people, particularly if they or someone they live with has a weakened immune system or is at increased risk for severe disease.
• Consider using a self-test before joining indoor gatherings with others who do not live in your household.
• Good ventilation can help prevent you from getting and spreading COVID-19.
• Stay home if you test positive or are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

Important update on oral medications for outpatient treatment of COVID -19 infections

Important Message from Dr. Paul Genecin about Third COVID-19 Vaccine Doses for Immunocompromised Patients

August 19, 2021

Dear Yale Health patients,

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals. This is as a result of medical studies suggesting a reduced antibody response after the usual two-dose vaccine primary series.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends an additional dose for patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised with the following conditions:

• Active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with immune-suppressing medications, including high-dose corticosteroids, chemotherapy, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, and other biologic agents that suppress or modulate the immune system

Key facts

• If you have one of the above conditions, you are eligible to receive an additional dose.
• Additional doses must be administered at least 28 days from the last dose of Pfizer (ages 12 and older) or Moderna (ages 18 and older).
• The same manufacturer (Pfizer or Moderna) for additional dose is preferred, but mixing is permissible.
• Patients who received Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not eligible for an additional dose. The CDC is studying this issue and updates will be provided as available.
• Self-scheduling for additional dose appointments is available through the Yale COVID-19 vaccine program.

You will be asked to identify and confirm that you have one or more of the qualifying conditions at the time of scheduling. If you have questions about whether you are immunocompromised, please speak to your treating clinician.

What about booster shots?

On August 18, 2021, Health and Human Services announced a plan to begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to the public this fall. The CDC’s independent advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), will continue to meet and discuss data on the evolution of the pandemic and the use of COVID-19 vaccines. ACIP will make further recommendations on the use of boosters for the public after a thorough review of the evidence. Yale Health will follow ACIP guidelines and is actively planning to offer booster shots upon approval. More information about this is expected in the near future.

Sincerely,
 
Paul Genecin, M.D.
CEO, Yale Health

Special Message: Upcoming Dedicated Student Vaccination Clinics

• Sign into MyChart and go to “Appointments” if you are using the MyChart app, or “Visits” if you are using the MyChart website, and click “Schedule an Appointment.
• You will see an order for “COVID19 Vaccine Dose 1.” Click on “SCHEDULE NOW.
• You will be asked a series of questions. When answering the question “Please select your relationship to Yale University,” make sure to select “Student (Undergraduate or Graduate/Professional).”

• Once you have answered all of the questions, you will be able to select a date and time for your vaccination at the “YHC Vaccination Clinic”.
• If needed, you can return to the “Visits” or “Appointments” section to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
• More detailed instructions can be found here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update for Yale Health Members

March 30, 2021

A message from Dr. Paul Genecin

Dear Yale Health Members: 

The State of Connecticut has announced that effective April 1, 2021, all adults 16 years of age and older will become eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine supply continues to be insufficient to meet the demand across our state. Although I anticipate that vaccine availability will increase considerably in coming weeks, making it accessible to everyone willing to be vaccinated, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with all the options for scheduling your free COVID-19 vaccination and urge you to get vaccinated wherever you can. 

The Yale COVID-19 Vaccine Program will send invitations for the Lanman vaccination clinic to eligible Yale employees, Yale Health members, and Yale students on April 1. Please know that receiving an invitation does not guarantee that you will be able to schedule an appointment immediately. It is very likely that you will get your vaccinations more quickly if you schedule at another site. I strongly encourage you to check for appointment availability not only through the Yale COVID-19 Vaccine Program, but also through other vaccination sites.

Tips to Find a Vaccine Appointment

While you can’t book an appointment before April 1, plan your pathway now so you’re ready to schedule once you become eligible.
 

Check your calendar

• Some sites will list the vaccine they are providing. The most effective vaccine is the one that gets into your arm. Still, you may have a choice of vaccine. If so, pick the option that works best for your schedule.
  • Johnson & Johnson = 1 dose
  • Moderna = 2 doses, 28 days apart
  • Pfizer = 2 doses, 21 days apart (16 and 17-year olds can only receive Pfizer)
• Plan to return to the same clinic for dose #2.

Create accounts

• MyChart is required for the Yale COVID-19 Vaccine Program and direct scheduling through Yale New Haven Health. 
• Register with the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).  
• Register with CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart pharmacies. While there is no cost for the vaccine, some sites will require you to provide insurance information. Have your insurance card readily available. You can download or print a version of your  Yale Health insurance card which contains the required information.
• Create a MyChart Plus account (Hartford Healthcare). 

Explore all scheduling options

• Along with the sites above, become familiar with CT’s zip-code-based portal where you can search for appointment openings, including at health systems and pharmacies.
• Starting April 1, check back often for available appointments. 

High–Risk Conditions

The state of Connecticut has deemed five conditions high-risk, warranting prioritization. If you fall into one of these categories, you will be contacted by Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) to book a vaccination appointment: 

• Solid organ transplant
• Sickle cell disease
• End-stage renal disease on dialysis
• Active cancer treatment
• Down syndrome

If you do not hear from YNHH, please get in touch with us at either the Campus COVID-19 Resource Line (203-432-6604) or your primary care provider. Please note that we cannot deviate from state mandates in this regard. 

Call for assistance

Telephone assistance with scheduling is available 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm through:

• Yale’s Campus COVID-19 Resource Line (203-432-6604)
• The State’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line (877-918-2224)

At this point, millions of Americans have been vaccinated and we are receiving many encouraging scientific reports confirming the effectiveness and safety of the COVID-19 vaccines.
 
If you have vaccine-related questions relating to your personal health, your primary care provider will welcome a MyChart message or telephone call to help you with the important decision to get vaccinated.  

By being prepared, persistent, and patient, you’ll find your opportunity to schedule your vaccination!

Thanks and best regards, 

Paul Genecin, MD
CEO, Yale Health 

Student Health Welcomes You Back to Yale, July 16, 2020

We are looking forward to the 2020 Fall academic semester and providing your health care at the Yale Health Center at 55 Lock Street. We extend a warm greeting to all Yale students and a special welcome to first years.

We have implemented a number of changes to ensure the safety of our patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some important points to help you plan for any health-related needs that might arise:  

Student Health

We are available to help you with ALL medical issues, and look forward to hearing from you. Student Health has made the following changes to minimize the risk of accidental spread of coronavirus in the healthcare setting:

• We will see you by appointment only (no walk-ins):
  • call ahead (or send a MyChart message) to schedule any type of visit, or
  • book a telemedicine visit directly through MyChart.
• Telephone and video, as well as in-person visits are now available. We will help you decide which works best when you call or message us.
• If you are away from New Haven, you can communicate with your provider through MyChart, and obtain medical care via telemedicine with the MyChart app.

Mental Health & Counseling

All regularly scheduled appointments in Mental Health & Counseling will be conducted via telephone or video.

Acute Care

• Acute Care is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• We recommend that you call ahead to determine the best type of visit (telemedicine vs. in-person).
• If you arrive without calling first, a lobby screener will ask you to step outside and call Acute Care.

Pharmacy

The Yale Health Pharmacy is still walk-in but now also offers curb-side pick up and two different mail order options.

Blood Draw, Diagnostic Imaging and other services

Essentially, unless you are coming to the Pharmacy, you should call ahead for an appointment:

• Both the Blood Draw and Diagnostic Imaging Departments are now by appointment only. Your provider will assist in coordinating test ordering and timing of appointments.
• All clinical departments are by appointment only.
• Other services such as Member Services (questions regarding coverage, eligibility and enrollment), Billing, Claims, Referrals, and medical records, are available via phone or email.

When you come to the Yale Health Center

• Face masks are required of all patients and staff.
• In order to enter the building, you must have an appointment or plan to pick up a prescription at the Pharmacy.
• A screener will ask you a series of screening questions and check your temperature with an infrared thermometer.
• The screener will determine if you are okay to enter the building, or they will ask you to step outside and wait for a call from the department you are visiting to discuss next steps.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine has become an important method of delivering health care during this pandemic. It allows for direct communication via either telephone or video, while protecting the health and safety of all involved. Many appointments are amenable to telemedicine. An added benefit is ease of use for a student who is on the go. If your provider feels an in-person visit at the Yale Health Center is warranted, we will arrange for you to come in-person. In order to take advantage of telemedicine, you will need an active MyChart account.

MyChart

MyChart gives you online access to all of your medical information including lab and radiologic results, and any documentation made by your providers. It is also what you use to directly communicate with your providers, via messages as well as telemedicine. This year, it is particularly vital that you sign up for MyChart. We also recommend downloading the app (App Store and Google Play).

Healthcare Coverage for Students

Yale Health Basic Coverage

If you are registered as a Yale degree candidate student, enrolled half-time or more and paying at least half tuition, whether living in New Haven or studying remotely, you have Yale Health Basic Coverage and are automatically enrolled in Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage. Yale Health Basic includes services in Student Health, Mental Health and Counseling, Gynecology, Acute Care, the Inpatient Care Facility, and Blood Draw. Students who are attending Yale remotely can obtain basic services through MyChart and telemedicine visits with Yale Health providers. 

Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage

All students enrolled at least half-time in a Yale degree-seeking program are automatically enrolled in and charged a fee for Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage. Students who have alternate insurance can waive Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage (with proof of alternate coverage). Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage provides you with comprehensive care, but it can be waived if you prefer to use alternate coverage. Please note that you are eligible for all Yale Health Basic Coverage services regardless of whether you waive Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage or not. 

Regarding Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage, students who will not be residing in the New Haven area should note that non-emergent medical care, specialty care (including treatment for chronic conditions), non-Yale Health pharmacy and laboratory testing will not be covered. Out-of-area provider network restrictions will apply. The option to waive Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage is available each semester or for the full year, and keeping the coverage works best for semesters you plan to be in New Haven. Students studying remotely should consider whether Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage meets their needs because an alternate health plan may offer more extensive healthcare coverage outside of New Haven. If you have questions about waiving the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage, do not hesitate to contact us at member.services@yale.edu or 203-432-0246.

Students on leave of absence are not eligible for Yale Health Basic Coverage but may enroll in Yale Health Student Affiliate Coverage.

Coverage information for your review

• Student Coverage
• Healthcare Coverage Overview for Students
• Waiving Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage
• Out of Area Coverage
• Waiver Submission
• Yale Health Student Affiliate Coverage for Students on Leave of Absence

One-time Extension of Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage for Eligible Graduates

Limiting Visitors to the Yale Health Center

Yale Health Center changes during COVID-19 outbreak

We are implementing measures to control the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) infection in the Yale Health Center. These measures will protect our members for whom a visit is essential – and it will protect our staff to ensure that we are here to serve the Yale community. 

Please note the following changes.

Prescriptions

• To avoid unnecessary trips to the Yale Health facility, we will temporarily modify our reimbursement practices for use of non-Yale Health pharmacies. Until further notice, you can fill your prescriptions at any pharmacy, pay for them at the cash register, and then complete a claim form to receive reimbursement for the cost of the medication less your regular copayment.
• You may also want to consider using Magellan Rx Home for mail delivery of your chronic and maintenance medications.
• To ensure that our patients have adequate medication supplies, our pharmacy will be authorizing early medication refills for most maintenance medications if you have less than 50 days of your medication on hand. Call the Pharmacy at 203-432-0033.
• Read more about prescriptions and your Yale Health Pharmacy benefit.

Infection Control and Social Distancing

• We will ask everyone entering the Yale Health Center (including our staff) if they have any symptoms including cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and malaise and we will take their temperature. 
• We will see any severely ill patient with suitable infection control measures including face mask.
• For those with mild respiratory symptoms and an oral temperature of 100° or more, we will provide a face mask and ask them to call their primary care provider for clinical guidance rather than entering the facility. 
• Our Immunizations Department will not be providing routine immunizations. We will let you know when we can resume this service. If you have a special vaccination need, your primary care provider can refer you.

COVID-19 Update from Yale Health - March 12, 2020

The outbreak of COVID-19 is creating uncertainty and concern for many. Yale Health has been working around the clock to prepare for the possibility of local cases and to ensure that we can provide the services you need to stay safe and healthy.

In all of our preparations, our primary focus is on reducing risk to our patients and to our staff. If you have questions or concerns, you can also call our COVID-19 hotline at 203-432-6604.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. Please continue to check email and our website frequently for updates.

Guidance to reduce the risk of COVID-19

The most important risk factors for COVID-19 are travel to an affected area (both national and international) and contact with a person who has COVID-19. However, there is now early evidence of community spread in Connecticut so it is possible to have COVID-19 infection without these risk factors.

For all of our patients we strongly recommend the following:

• Practice good hand washing—20 seconds with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Do not shake hands.
• Cough into your elbow or into a tissue and discard.
• Clean high touch surfaces in your home and work place (such as door knobs, countertops, remotes, etc.) frequently.
• Avoid touching railings, door knobs, faucets, etc. in public areas. Use your sleeve or tissue if necessary.
• Avoid crowded or enclosed areas. Keep 6 feet between you and others.
• Limit travel as much as possible.
• Avoid sick individuals.
• Monitor yourself at home. If you feel feverish, check your temperature with a thermometer. If you have a fever, follow the guidance below.
• Stay home if you are ill; do not go to work or social events.

CDC - Steps to Prevent Illness

If you develop fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath

Call your primary care provider or Acute Care after hours for instructions from our clinical team. Please do not come to the Yale Health Center without calling first.

• Internal Medicine 203-432-0038
• Ob/Gyn 203-432-0222
• Pediatrics 203-432-0206
• Acute Care 203-432-0123

Testing for COVID-19

• At this time, health centers including Yale Health have extremely limited access to testing. Testing is reserved for those with more serious symptoms as well as known travel or contact with someone who has COVID-19 and is subject to approval from the Connecticut Department of Health.
• Patients without symptoms will not be tested at this time.

Access to general clinical care and services

Yale Health will be open regardless of the level of COVID-19 in our community. Available services will include Acute Care, Pharmacy, Diagnostic Imaging and Blood Draw. However, we may postpone certain appointments such as preventive and routine visits to enable staff to focus on patients whose needs are more acute. We will of course notify you if such changes become necessary.

Telephone visits

Over the next several weeks, we will be transitioning some scheduled visits to telephone visits. Telephone visits will take place at the same time as your current appointment but are conducted entirely by telephone so that you do not need to come to your appointment in person.

Our providers will be reviewing schedules to identify visits that can be safely conducted by telephone. We will be calling you to explain the process if this is an option for your upcoming visit. If you prefer to keep your in-person visit you may.

If you have a scheduled visit and would like to convert it to a telephone visit, please contact us via MyChart or call your provider’s department and request the change.

People at increased risk of serious disease

Certain people are at higher risk of more serious disease should they contract COVID-19. These risks include:

• those over age 65
• those with chronic heart, lung, kidney or liver disease;
• those undergoing active cancer treatment;
• those with immune deficiency conditions or taking medications that suppress the immune system.

While data is limited pregnant women may be at increased risk.
We will be preparing a separate communication for this higher risk population in the next several days. In the meantime, we recommend you follow the general guidance listed above and review CDC guidance. Telephone visits may be especially suitable if you fit into this high risk category.

Prescriptions and Pharmacy

• To ensure that our patients have adequate medication supplies, our pharmacy will be authorizing early medication refills for most maintenance medications (excluding controlled substances) if you have less than 50 days of your medication on hand. Call the Pharmacy at 203-432-0033.
• You may also want to consider using Magellan Rx Home for mail delivery of your maintenance medications.

Resources

• Yale University COVID-19 Information page
• Yale Health COVID-19 FAQ’s
• Connecticut Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• CDC: 2019 Novel Coronavirus

COVID-19 Update – Events of 100 People or More

Dear Members of the Yale Community,

This email contains new information about Yale’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

At this time, there are no known cases of COVID-19 at Yale University, but individuals who work in Connecticut, and live elsewhere, have tested positive for the virus. Although the individual risk of contracting the virus remains low, the university continues to be focused on making decisions to safeguard our health and safety and the health and safety of those individuals with whom we may come into contact. What follows is guidance based on the status of the situation today; however, developments are fluid and moving quickly.

The guidance provided in this email and other important information are available at Yale’s COVID-19 website.

NEW GUIDANCE REGARDING ON-CAMPUS MEETINGS AND EVENTS

• To prevent transmission of the virus, we are asking students, faculty, and staff to postpone, cancel, or adjust all Yale-hosted events, other than classes, that will have 100 or more participants. Adjustments to events could include using technology to allow remote participation and increasing the venue size to allow participants to maintain distance from one another. This recommendation applies to events taking place between March 9, 2020, and April 15, 2020.
• All regularly scheduled university courses and dining operations will continue. We are cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces in all frequently used public areas.
• Zoom technology is available to all Yale community members and can be used to move an event, or portions of it, online.
• Even if an event has fewer than 100 people, please think about the size of the venue and accommodations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the virus can spread between people who are within six feet of one another. Consider if the venue allows people adequate space to spread out and if participants have opportunities to wash their hands regularly. Adjust meeting formats as needed.
• If you are postponing, cancelling, or adjusting an event, please communicate quickly and clearly with participants.
• We remind everyone to continue to take personal precautions and practice good hygiene.

For travel guidance, advice on what to do if you become ill, and other information, please visit Yale’s COVID-19 website.

We are mindful that some schools began spring recess yesterday evening. Many of us are thinking ahead to our return to campus. If events dictate that we must take more significant action than what is described here, we will provide further updates. For now, we are operating under the assumption that classes will begin again as scheduled.

We will continue to monitor carefully the spread of COVID-19 and keep you updated on important changes. We are committed to drawing from the best scientific and medical evidence available to safeguard everyone’s health and safety.

Sincerely,

Dr. Paul Genecin
Director, Yale Health

Scott Strobel
Provost
Henry Ford II Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry

COVID-19 Update – Yale Health Guidance for Travelers (February 26)

Dear Members of the Yale Community,

In response to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Yale is asking all travelers arriving to campus from mainland China and from South Korea to complete this registration form and to self-monitor and self-isolate for 14 days using these guidelines. Once visitors have completed the form, Yale Health will contact them to provide assistance and further instructions. If a traveler has returned from mainland China or South Korea more than 14 days ago and is asymptomatic (i.e., no fever, cough, fatigue, and/or difficulty breathing), then no further action is needed. You can read more about symptoms of COVID-19.

We have created a table to summarize CDC travel notices and Yale Health guidance (see below). This table will be regularly updated at the Yale Health announcement webpage.

The spread of COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving global situation, and it is likely the CDC will issue additional travel advisories for other countries in the coming weeks. Yale will ask travelers returning from countries with Level 3 travel alerts to complete the registration form and to participate in infection prevention through self-monitoring and self-isolation for 14 days. Travelers from Level 2 Alert Countries should monitor their temperature and symptoms for 14 days and contact a healthcare provider according to the instructions in the table above if they become ill.

There are no cases of COVID-19 infection at Yale or in Connecticut. We are working closely with the Connecticut Department of Public Health to track the overall situation regarding COVID-19 and to protect the health and wellbeing of the Yale community. Please review the Yale Health announcement webpage for additional information, including previous messages and key links.

Sincerely,

Dr. Paul Genecin

Director, Yale Health

Donald L. Filer

Associate Vice President for Global Strategy

Spring Break Travel Safety and COVID-19 Update - Feb. 18, 2020

February 18, 2020

Dear Members of the Yale Community,

With spring break approaching, we write to remind you of the resources available if you are traveling abroad or within the U.S. We write also to provide updates regarding COVID-19 (formerly 2019-nCoV or novel coronavirus), grateful that we have had no cases of the infection on campus to date and that there has been no community spread of the infection in the U.S.

You can find the following in this email:
•    Spring break travel safety
•    Infection prevention through voluntary self-isolation in the Yale community
•    New infection control mandate for people arriving from mainland China
•    University preparations for COVID-19
•    Information about COVID-19 infection and prevention

SPRING BREAK TRAVEL SAFETY
We want to emphasize resources that are available in light of concerns regarding COVID-19 and urge you to register your travel as provided below. For many students, faculty, and staff, international travel is important for their research, work, or studies and can continue as planned if travelers plan ahead and follow guidance from health officials and other government agencies.  

As of now, all travel to China should be cancelled or deferred to a later date. In addition, some countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, are imposing restrictions on entering, so you may wish to reconsider travel at this time to those countries. However, most travel worldwide is not affected. Please keep in mind the following points that will help ensure safe and smooth travels:
 
1. Stay alert to changes and developments that may affect your plans. Monitor travel advisories, including potential restrictions on border crossings.  

• View the list of current travel advisories here.
• Request a destination-specific medical and security pre-travel briefing by emailing Philadelphia@internationalsos.com or calling 215-942-8478.
• All Yale faculty, students, and staff are automatically enrolled with International SOS (ISOS), which provides pre-travel consultations and 24/7/365 domestic and international emergency medical, security, and travel assistance for Yale community members (and accompanying family) while traveling more than 100 miles from home.
  • Subscribe to ISOS email alerts for your planned destination(s) at our member portal.
  • Install the ISOS app on your smartphone. The app gives you direct access to ISOS assistance services, including one-click dialing, country guides, and medical and security alerts.
  • Download, print, and carry the ISOS membership card while you travel, so you have the emergency contact information if you need it.

2. Register your travel with Yale. Whether you are traveling for research, conferences, internships, or other reasons, please register your travel, so that in the event of a major emergency, the university will be able to contact you.   
 
3. If you are an undergraduate traveler, review the Yale College travel policy.
 
4. Borrow a secure laptop from Yale ITS and consider using burner phones for high-risk destinations. Review these best practices for traveling overseas with electronic devices.
 
5. Understand what your health insurance will cover while you are away from home and consider purchasing supplemental travel health insurance.
 
6. International students and scholars should check their immigration documents before leaving the U.S. For more information about travel emergencies related to your immigration status or problems returning to the U.S., go to https://oiss.yale.edu/life-at-yale/safety-security/emergency-information.
 
7. U.S. Country Sanctions and Economic Embargoes:

• Current U.S. sanctions and embargoes may require you to have U.S. government approval before you travel to an embargoed country and/or may restrict your activities in that country. If you violate these rules, you may be subject to civil and/or criminal penalties.
• Those traveling to Iran, North Korea, Syria, or the Crimea region of Ukraine should contact Don Deyo, director of export control licensing, at (203) 785-3817 for assistance.
• Those traveling to Cuba should email iocc@yale.edu for assistance. Restrictions on travel to Cuba remain in place: trips to Cuba that are primarily tourist-oriented, along with many other transactions relating to Cuba, continue to be prohibited.

Although this message is most relevant to spring break travel, we know that many community members already have questions about summer travel and programs abroad in light of the COVID-19 situation. We are monitoring and plan to be able to give specific information to the community with respect to summer travel by April 1.
 
INFECTION PREVENTION THROUGH VOLUNTARY SELF-ISOLATION IN THE YALE COMMUNITY
On February 3, 2020, Yale University responded to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by initiating voluntary self-isolation and self-monitoring for travelers arriving from mainland China. Yale Health registered 109 students, staff, faculty, family members, and visitors, many of whom have now completed the 14-day monitoring period. We are pleased to say that we have had no cases of infection to date, and we extend heartfelt thanks to all of the registrants for their cooperation.

NEW INFECTION CONTROL MANDATE FOR PEOPLE ARRIVING FROM MAINLAND CHINA
There has been no community spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. to date. The national public health strategy has prioritized prevention of infection through limitations on travel as well as quarantine or self-isolation of people arriving from China. Important new infection control mandates for arriving travelers include the following:

• All travelers from mainland China must now arrive in the U.S. through 11 designated airports where they undergo screening for symptoms and/or risks of infection.
• Arrivals with recent travel to Hubei Province will be quarantined for 14 days.
• If they are asymptomatic, travelers from mainland China outside Hubei Province will receive a health information card and be required to undergo a 14-day period of self-isolation and monitoring with public health supervision at their travel destinations.
  • The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health will delegate to Yale Health the responsibility for monitoring members of the Yale community registered for this program. We will provide affected individuals with detailed health information and daily assistance.

You can read more about these infection control measures at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-china.html.

UNIVERSITY PREPARATIONS FOR COVID-19
Because of the magnitude of the epidemic in China and travel-related cases in other countries, the CDC and healthcare organizations across the country are making preparations in case we encounter community spread of COVID-19. In our own community, Yale Health, Yale Medicine, Yale School of Public Health, Yale Emergency Management, Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH), and public health authorities at the state and local level are collaborating closely.

• We have created a 24-hour hotline (203-432-6604) for concerned members of the community.
• We have developed and disseminated clinical protocols to facilitate consistent evaluation of patients with risk factors and/or symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
• In collaboration with Yale Medicine and YNHH, we have implemented a mandatory data field in our electronic medical record system to ensure consistent screening for travel history and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection.
• We have developed and disseminated protocols for limiting the spread of infection in the healthcare setting.
• We have relaunched the influenza vaccination drive and reminded our community that it is not too late to get the vaccine. Members of the Yale community can obtain the influenza vaccine free of charge at the Yale Health Center at 55 Lock Street daily from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 INFECTION AND PREVENTION

Facts About COVID-19 Infection
The risk of COVID-19 infection is dependent on exposure, but details about the new virus are still emerging. The most important route of transmission is likely close contact (six feet or less) with sick patients who spread respiratory droplets when they cough or sneeze. The risk of spread from asymptomatic people and from touching surfaces and objects contaminated with virus is much lower than droplet spread from sick patients. The reported incubation period (time from exposure to the onset of symptoms) ranges from two to 14 days.

Severity of COVID-19 infection ranges from mild to severe, but the majority of cases in China have not required hospitalization. Critical illness has developed in 15 percent of Wuhan patients and up to 3 percent are dying of the disease. Fever of >100.4 F (>38 C), cough, and shortness of breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms overlap with those of influenza and other respiratory infections. Therefore, the CDC has published guidelines to identify patients at risk of COVID-19 and determine when testing is necessary  

Prevention of COVID-19 Infection
There is no vaccine for COVID-19 at present, so prevention is crucial. Here are some ways to avoid viral respiratory infections including COVID-19:

• Avoid contact with people who are ill.
• Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Facemasks are not recommended for healthy people to avoid respiratory viruses including COVID-19.

What to Do If You Become Ill
If you experience fever, cough, or difficulty breathing and you have had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient and/or traveled from mainland China within 14 days of the onset of illness, stay home and contact a healthcare provider for guidance—do not go to a healthcare facility prior to calling your doctor or a hospital emergency room for instructions.
o    If you are a Yale student or Yale Health member, you should contact Internal Medicine (203-432-0038), Student Health (203-432-0312), or Pediatrics (203-432-0206) from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For urgent attention 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, please call Yale Health Acute Care (203-432-0123).

• If you are an Aetna member or have other healthcare coverage, please contact your physician.
• Avoid contact with others to limit spread.
• Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue or sleeve, not your hands. Wash your hands with soap and water after coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.
• Facemasks are recommended for people with symptoms of respiratory infection to minimize the risk of spread of infection.

Information for Healthcare Workers
The CDC has issued detailed interim guidance for those who interact with potentially infected patients. Protect yourself and others by acquainting yourself with these recommendations.

Nondiscrimination
Yale University is committed to maintaining an environment of respect and freedom from discrimination and to supporting all members of our community affected by this global health threat. Bias, discrimination, and harassment are inimical to our values and violate Yale policies. For more information, please go to https://yalehealth.yale.edu/nondiscrimination-notice.

For Additional Information

Public Health Authorities

• CDC: 2019 Novel Coronavirus
• WHO: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak

Yale Resources

• COVID-19 FAQ’s
• Visit the Yale Office of International Affairs for travel related questions
• Yale international travelers who are overseas with a medical emergency should contact ISOS through the ISOS assistance app or by calling 1-215-942-8478. ISOS is a resource for members of the Yale community that provides emergency medical, security, and travel assistance.

Sincerely,

Dr. Paul Genecin
Director, Yale Health

Donald L. Filer
Associate Vice President for Global Strategy

Announcement from Scott Strobel, Feb. 3

Dear Members of the Yale Community:

Yale University continues to closely monitor the outbreak of coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The number of cases in China has been rising dramatically; for now, there has been limited spread to other countries, including the United States. We reported on January 31 that a high school student from China who was participating in the annual Yale Model United Nations conference tested negative for 2019-nCoV. 

The U.S. government has implemented measures to better detect and contain the coronavirus. These measures include a “Level 4-Do Not Travel to China” advisory from the U.S. Department of State, and a declaration of a public health emergency by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

In keeping with intensifying public health measures, all Yale University faculty, staff, students, visitors and other members of the Yale community who have returned from mainland China since January 20, 2020, should complete this registration form.  Yale Health will then contact you to provide assistance and further instructions. The information you provide will be kept secure and confidential.  Consistent with U.S. Government advice, we also ask you to self-isolate for 14 days after returning from mainland China.  Guidelines for self-isolation may be found at this website. 

If you have traveled in China and returned to the U.S. on or before January 19, 2020, and are not showing disease symptoms, then no further action is needed.

We are working closely with the Connecticut Department of Public Health to track the overall situation regarding the coronavirus and to protect the health and wellbeing of the Yale community.  Yale Health and Yale Medicine are maintaining information on their webpages.

A reminder about influenza:
We are now nearing the peak of seasonal influenza (flu). Influenza and 2019-nCoV infections have similar symptoms including fever, cough, congestion and shortness of breath.  At this time, influenza poses a greater risk to our community than coronavirus.  Public health authorities strongly advise unimmunized members of the community to get the flu shot. 

Members of the Yale community can obtain the influenza vaccine free of charge at the Yale Health Center at 55 Lock Street on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Please check the Yale Health website for updated information about 2019-nCoV including 2019 Novel Coronavirus FAQ’s. 

We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available. 
 
Sincerely, 
Scott Strobel
Provost and Henry Ford II Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry

Janet Lindner
Vice President for Human Resources & Administration

Dr. Paul Genecin
Director, Yale Health

January 26, 2020 - Coronavirus Update

January 26, 2020

A message from Dr. Paul Genecin

To:  All Students, faculty and staff

On Friday, I wrote to let you know that Yale Health, Yale Emergency Management, and Environmental Health and Safety are closely monitoring the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and that we would keep the community updated as new information became available.

I write today to inform you that last night, Yale became aware that a high-school student from China who was participating in the annual Yale Model United Nations (YMUN) conference, scheduled for January 23-26 on our campus, exhibited cough and fever and was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, where the student tested positive for influenza. This test result suggests that the student has influenza rather than 2019-nCoV infection. However, out of an abundance of caution, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has asked that the student be tested for 2019-nCoV. We expect results in the middle of the week.

The patient, who does not exhibit severe symptoms, has been released from the hospital, but has been isolated pending the CDC’s diagnosis. The student is in good condition and we will continue to monitor their progress.

Last night, Dean of Yale College Marvin Chun, in consultation with health experts, requested that YMUN cancel all activities that had been scheduled for today, Sunday, January 26. YMUN organizers have reached out to advisors as well as those at Yale who had a part in the conference, to inform them of today’s cancelation. This was to be the event’s closing day, and while Yale regrets that the participating MUN students will not be able to complete their conference’s program, we feel it to be in the best interest of those students and of the Yale community to take this precaution.

We have established a dedicated Yale Health hotline at 203-432-6604 or 866-924-YALE (866-924-9253). All concerned members of the Yale community and YMUN participants should feel free to contact us.

What follows is a restatement of the background information and guidance I offered in my letter on Friday.

We are working closely with campus partners as well as the Connecticut Department of Public Health to track the overall situation around the coronavirus and to protect the health and wellbeing of the Yale community. Yale Health and Yale Medicine are maintaining information on their webpages:

Yale Health: https://yalehealth.yale.edu/
Yale Medicine: https://www.yalemedicine.org/

Background:

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the immediate health risk from the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) to the general American public is considered low at this time. Airline passengers from China arriving at major U.S. airports are being screened for illness. and China has restricted travel in several cities to help limit the spread of the virus. The vast majority of the approximately 850 reported cases (as of Friday) are on the Chinese mainland. Two U.S. cases in travelers returning from Wuhan to Washington State and Chicago, Illinois have been reported as of Friday. We anticipate that there may be additional U.S. reports of infection in coming days.

Public health authorities are investigating the virus’ origin, transmission, and details about the spectrum of illnesses. Coronavirus can spread from person to person by coughing and other close contact. The 2019 new coronavirus typically causes moderate illness with flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, and congestion. Shortness of breath is reported in patients with more severe illness.  Some patients — particularly the elderly and those with chronic health conditions — can develop a severe form of pneumonia and deaths have been reported. There is no current vaccine for this or other coronaviruses, and no effective antiviral antibiotic therapy.

Medical care:
Individuals who have traveled recently to Wuhan and surrounding regions or have had close contact with an ill person from those areas AND are experiencing flu like symptoms should seek medical attention from your primary care provider.  

If you are a Yale Health member, you should contact Internal Medicine (203-432-0038), Student Health (203-432-0312) or Pediatrics (203-432-0206). For urgent attention, please call Yale Health Acute Care: 203-432-0123. NOTE: We have established a dedicated Yale Health hotline at 203-432-6604 or 866-924-YALE (866-924-9253). All concerned members of the Yale community and YMUN participants should feel free to contact us.

Patients should provide their travel history and can expect to be asked screening questions related to 2019-nCoV risk when seeking care in clinical locations. Members of Yale Health concerned about 2019-nCoV should call first so that we can review symptoms and travel history and make appropriate recommendations.

Prevent illness and its spread:
•    Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, if soap and water are not available
•    Avoid contact with affected patients
•    Cover your cough/sneeze or cough/sneeze into your elbow, throw tissues away and wash your hands immediately
More information is available from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization:

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
CDC Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
WHO: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.  

Join Yale Health's Patient & Family Council

Yale Health’s Patient & Family Council is part of an effort to further advance the principles of patient-centered care.

• Council members work together with Yale Health leadership to promote, review, and advise on operational processes and programs that address the needs of patients and families.  

• Patients and family members will play a role as ‘patient partners’, acting as a resource to the organization.

Visit the Patient Partner Opportunities page for more information or to apply to the council.