SBC’S RESPONSE AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN THE LIGHT OF THE SEVERITY OF THE INFLUENZA A (H1N1) SITUATION
SBC’s Response
According to the press releases on 3 and 8 July 2009, schools no longer require students, faculty and staff who have returned from affected countries to take Leave of Absence, and contact tracing is also not required. With community spread of H1N1 on the rise in Singapore, schools will continue to be vigilant and keep up precautionary measures to slow the spread of the H1N1 virus in schools. Regular temperature taking and checks to identify those with influenza-like illness will continue. If unwell, faculty, staff and students should see a doctor, stay away from work, school or crowded places, and rest at home. With the change in the national response toward current H1N1 situation, SBC has also revised its measures.
SBC’s Precautionary Measures
- If there is a Suspect Case of H1N1 On Campus
1. Influenza A (H1N1) symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu – high fever exceeding 38 C, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, and sometimes accompanied by diarrhea, breathlessness, and dizziness.
2. If there is a suspect case of H1N1 on campus, Business or Dean of Students’ Office is to be alerted, and the individual is to be directed to the nearest Pandemic Preparedness Clinic (PPC). The individual is to wear a mask as he/she travels to the clinic.
3. If the individual is asked to be quarantined for 7 days, he/she must stay at home or in the facility provided and avoid contact with others. The individual has to take his/her own temperature twice daily and monitor himself/herself for symptoms mentioned in 1.1 above. The individual needs to wear a mask when in contact with someone who attends to his/her needs (e.g., bringing meals, etc.)
4. Anyone who needs a mask or thermometer may purchase the items from the Book Centre.
- People Who Are Already On Campus
1. Faculty, students, staff, campus residents and speakers who are already on campus must exercise social responsibility and observe good personal hygiene.
2. Every person on campus must own a personal thermometer which can be purchased from the Book Centre. Each individual is to take his/her own temperature twice a day (morning and evening).
3. If the temperature exceeds 38 C and/or symptoms such as the ones mentioned in 1.1 above exist, the individual must immediately (i) seek medical help, (ii) alert Business or Dean of Students’ Office, and (iii) wear a mask which will be given to him/her instantly by Business or Dean of Students’ Office. This individual must stay away from work, class, and crowded places, until he/she is medically certified fit to return to work or class.
4. Personal hygiene is to be observed in the following manner:
1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and dispose the tissue properly in the trash.
2. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water; after using your hand when coughing or sneezing; before and after preparing food; before and after eating; after going to toilet.
3. Use a serving spoon when sharing food from a common dish.
4. Do not share personal items such as toothbrushes and towels.
5. Do not throw leftover food on the floor or in the open.
6. Do not leave food in common areas for stray animals.
7. Do not spit on the floor and common areas.
8. Throw used masks, tissue or litter into rubbish bins.
- Update and Publicity of Influenza A (H1N1)
1. Updates on the development of Influenza A (H1N1) will be made known via SBC web-site, e-mail, mail boxes and notice boards of SBC.
2. Individuals may also go to the Singapore Government web-site (http://www.moh.gov.sg) for updates.
3. Everyone on campus is to be aware of the channels of communication and keep himself/herself updated constantly.
Donna Lim
Chief Administrative Officer
Singapore Bible College
Date: 19 July 2009
|
