COVID-19 update: The latest on Penn State Health’s preparedness

While the immediate health risk from COVID-19 for the general public in the United States continues to be low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the agency states that the potential health threat globally and in the U.S. is high. Penn State Health remains very cautious. Since the start of the outbreak in China, the Special Pathogens team (internal access only; Penn State Health ePass login required) has been continuously monitoring the illness as well as developments in clinical guidance for diagnosis and treatment, based on CDC recommendations.

To date, there are no confirmed cases in Pennsylvania.

To ensure a safe environment for staff, patients and visitors, an interdisciplinary management team meets weekly to focus on COVID-19. Among the team’s preparedness efforts, it has overseen the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and patient hygiene kits to all clinic sites and monitors supplies in the event that more are needed.

Travel screenings for the system’s intake staff have been in place since the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in China and remain essential to helping to identify higher-risk patients. If patients test positive for the illness, the appropriate protocol is already in place, including approved rooms dedicated for COVID-19 admissions.

Penn State Health Infectious Diseases specialists have developed specific guidance for Penn State Health and College of Medicine employees who have recently returned from, or are planning to travel to, countries classified by the CDC as “Warning Level 3” and “Alert Level 2” countries. These countries currently include China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan. This guidance can be found on the Special Pathogens page of the Infonet (internal access only; Penn State Health ePass login required) and includes recommendations for self-quarantine and return-to-work processes, depending on travel dates and symptoms.

Additionally, employees are strongly discouraged from traveling to any of the CDC Warning Level 3 and Alert Level 2 countries for either personal or business reasons. Employees with existing or planned travel plans to these countries must consult with their supervisors. Employees should also understand that their travel to a CDC Warning Level 3 or Alert Level 2 country could result in a federally mandated, 14-day quarantine.

Because developments with COVID-19 are ever-evolving, you may have questions about the illness, its symptoms, who is at risk and more. For answers to many common concerns, please visit the Special Pathogens Infonet page (internal access only; Penn State Health ePass login required) for up-to-date facts, answers to frequently asked questions and more.

Also, for College of Medicine faculty, staff and students, a college-specific coronavirus guide is available here. That page includes links to the Infonet section listed above as well as other University and Penn State Health resources.

If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email the Penn State College of Medicine web department.