Hello UMPI Students,

I hope that you are having a successful semester and enjoying life at UMPI. If you have been keeping up with the news you may have heard that the Coronavirus (aka COVID-19) has been spreading more rapidly beyond Asia in recent days. Additional information can be found at the CDC website. In light of the spread of COVID-19, we are asking students, faculty, and staff who are experiencing any symptoms to go to your primary care physician for evaluation immediately. 

While there is growing concern about COVID-19, please be assured that the Maine Center for Disease Control is closely monitoring the development of the virus. As of today, there are no cases of COVID-19 in Maine.

To be best prepared, we are asking the following:

• If you traveled overseas during the last 30 days we are asking that you email Matt Morrin, Dean of Students (matthew.morrin@maine.edu) with information on where you traveled to and when.
• If you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider. You may also visit the Student Health Center in the Emerson Hall Annex. For more information and the service hours, please visit their webpage – https://www.umpi.edu/offices/health-services/. 
• If you have a confirmed case of coronavirus COVID-19, please do not come to campus until your primary care physician clears you. You should contact Student Affairs to request an excused absence for medical reasons. You may call Kathryn Higgins at 207-768-9610 or email her at kathryn.higgins@maine.edu for assistance. 
• If you live in the residence halls and you have a confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19), please contact the Dean of Students to discuss alternative housing options while you are ill.

As a reminder about good hygiene practices, here are recommendations from the Center for Disease Control:

• People who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness should stay home and not come to work or school until they are free of fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater) and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines. 
• Practice cough and sneeze etiquette and good hand hygiene.
• Avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces.

You are strongly encouraged to wash your hands before eating and using the hand sanitizer available after eating in Kelley Commons and the Owl’s Nest  We will display the “COVID-19 Stop the Spread of Germs” posters around our campuses as reminders of best practices too.

I hope you have an enjoyable Spring Break.If you are traveling, please review this information on Spring Break Safety from the CDC.  Please know that we are working in collaboration with other universities and the Maine CDC to develop plans so that we are prepared in the event that additional steps are needed to protect the safety of our students and community.

Take Care,
Matt