Good afternoon students, faculty, and staff,

This is the first of what will be a daily roundup of news, information and resources about coronavirus, from the College’s Pandemic Virus Response Team. Please check your inbox every day for the latest.

Sustaining public health requires a combination of vigilance, information, and caring. Our efforts to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our community depends on all of us, and we want to make sure you have the latest updates. We are committed to doing everything we can to fulfill our mission to provide an excellent education to all students, while remaining agile and flexible throughout this evolving situation.

• This afternoon, Governor Mills announced that the first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 coronavirus has been identified in Maine. The woman, in her 50s, lives in Androscoggin County and is being interviewed and treated by the Maine CDC. We will get more information on her movements and/or travel history in the coming hours and days.
• An update from Facilities on the activities and precautions being taken to manage and mitigate the potential spread of viruses at a campus-wide level.
  • Daily disinfection activities of high contact/touch areas to reduce the spread of infectious material.
  • Daily disinfection of high occupancy areas with specialized electrostatic sprayers (see description below ) such as; weight rooms, locker rooms, multi-use spaces, lounges, and other areas.
  • Placement of disinfectant kiosks and signage in each building for student and community use.
  • Removal of community waste station lids to minimize touching of public surfaces.
  • Sharing and posting of all updated information from the CDC including recommendations and procedures.
  • Review of supply chain procedures and protocols to address or highlight any potential gaps regarding supplies.
  • Review of cleaning protocols and requirement with housekeeping staff.
  • Promoting and encouraging healthy hygiene practices with entire staff.
  • A note on the electrostatic sprayers being used to enhance Facilities’ ongoing disinfecting of campus: We are deploying these sprayers across campus because they allow us to achieve broad application and complete coverage. They help reduce cross contamination because they adhere to surfaces, creating a disinfection envelope that persists longer than other methods.

• The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) and 211 Maine announced today a new option for Mainers to get answers to questions about the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at any time. This service is available by dialing 211 (or 1-866-811-5695), texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or emailing info@211maine.org.

  211 Maine is a free, confidential information and referral service that connects people of all ages across Maine to local services. Maine CDC worked closely with 211 Maine to incorporate answers to general questions about COVID-19 to the 211 resource. Calls, texts, and emails to 211 are answered 24/7 by a person here in the state.

  211 Maine is equipped to answer general questions about the 2019 novel coronavirus, including how Maine people can best protect themselves, options for testing, and travel considerations. Anyone looking for specific medical advice regarding symptoms they may be experiencing is strongly urged to call their medical provider, an urgent care center, or 911, depending on the severity of their symptoms.

• The Response Team found this article from the Portland Press-Herald very useful in identifying the symptoms of different viruses impacting the world right now: How to tell if you have a cold, the flu, or COVID-19.

Saint Joseph’s College Pandemic Virus Response Team