Middle Georgia colleges to cancel some planned study abroad trips after coronavirus outbreak
Two higher education institutions in Middle Georgia have canceled study abroad trips to some of the countries hardest hit by COVID-19, and others are monitoring the situation as the number of confirmed cases continues to rise globally.
Mercer University and Wesleyan College told the Telegraph that some planned international trips were canceled. Mercer has students in areas where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued travel warnings, and the university is keeping track of those students, a spokesperson said.
As of Monday afternoon, Georgia has six confirmed COVID-19 cases and seven presumptive positives pending confirmation from the CDC. No one affiliated with the Middle Georgia institutions has the disease, officials said.
Mercer University
Mercer currently has two students in Japan and three in South Korea for semester-long exchange programs, said Kyle Sears, a Mercer spokesperson.
The university said it’s monitoring the students, the situations in their locations and what steps their partner schools abroad are taking. None of the partner schools have reported cases of the virus or canceled the term. The students are expected to return to the United States in June, he said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued travel warnings for both countries as a result of COVID-19. The CDC has issued a “Level 2 Health Travel Notice” for Japan, meaning older adults and those who have chronic medical conditions should consider postponing their travel plans. Travelers should monitor their health.
South Korea is a level three, meaning people should avoid all nonessential travel. Other current level-three countries include China, Iran and Italy. Visitors from China and Iran face restrictions on entry to the United States, according to the CDC.
As of March 9, South Korea had nearly 7,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 53 total deaths. Japan had 511 cases with 17 total deaths, the World Health Organization reports.
In addition, Mercer also had groups on faculty-led spring break trips to France, India and Spain where COVID-19 cases are being reported. Nine people were on the trip to France. Eight were on the India trip, and 13 were on the Spain trip. Those groups were to return by Monday, Sears said.
The World Health Organization reports those countries, like much of the world, have a risk of limited community transmission. The CDC defines community transmission as the spread of an illness from an unknown source.
A Mercer on Mission trip to China that was scheduled for this summer has been canceled. No member of the Mercer student body or faculty has COVID-19, and the university has a task force monitoring the disease, Sears said.
“Students who traveled to CDC Warning Level 3 … countries are asked to report directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and will be asked to remain in self-quarantine for two weeks after arrival in the U.S.,” Sears said in a statement. “ Any students, either on Mercer-affiliated trips or who have engaged in personal travel abroad to CDC Level 2 countries, have been asked to self-monitor their health and take appropriate action should they become symptomatic.”
Wesleyan College
Wesleyan College in Macon canceled a study abroad trip to Italy for its Executive MBA students that was set for later this month. A single student study abroad trip to South Korea was also canceled, said college spokesperson Mary Ann Howard.
“Following CDC best practices, Wesleyan will require any faculty, staff, and students who have traveled to countries with a CDC Travel Advisory to notify the college, and to remain off campus for 14 days upon return to the United States.”
A group of campus leaders, including health experts, emergency personnel and others, have spent more than a week working to prepare for COVID-19 and the effect it might have on the college. It’s emailed students and prepared a web page that provides updates on COVID-19, Howard said.
“We continue our preparation and are ready to work with local, state and national health authorities in responding to any confirmed case which affects members of our community or the operations of the college,” Howard said.
Middle Georgia State University
There are no student groups currently traveling abroad, said spokesperson Sheron Smith. There are no reported cases at the university.
The university is offering updates to students and employees via their website and email.
Georgia College and State University
No students, faculty or staff at Milledgeville’s Georgia College and State University are currently affected by COVID-19. None are traveling in countries with elevated risks, and there are no reported cases, said college spokesperson Cindy O’Donnell.
“Summer study abroad programs and travel are actively being assessed, and contingency plans are being developed in case the current levels remain in place. The situation is on-going, and the health of our students, faculty and staff is of the utmost concern for us,” she said in a statement.
Further advice, guidance and updates from Georgia College can be found at their website.
Latest stats
As of March 9, more than 111,000 cases of COVID-19 were reported globally. Nearly 81,000 are in China.
COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that’s a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.
The Georgia Department of Public Health recommends residents taking the following steps:
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
▪ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
▪ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
▪ Stay home when you are sick.
▪ Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
▪ Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
▪ If you have recently traveled to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 and develop fever with cough and shortness of breath within fourteen days of your travel, or if you have had contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19, stay home and call your health care provider or local health department right away. Be sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
▪ It’s not too late for a flu shot. The flu is still widespread in Georgia. While the flu shot will not protect against COVID-19, it will prevent serious complications that require hospitalization and prevent overburdening the health care system in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 10:26 AM.