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Schools districts taking steps to keep H1N1 away
By JENNY DERRINGER
Local school districts have been taking precautions in the event the swine flu (H1N1) becomes a health concern locally.
Also taking steps to help ensure the good health of its students and staff are area colleges since health departments report that the vaccine may not be available until late October.
Since public places can be a breeding ground for germs, emphasizing cleanliness is a high priority.
"We met with the Henry County Health Department and Henry County Emergency Management Services," said Mari Yoder, vice president of institutional advancement at Northwest State Community College. "We have also hired an additional two student workers to wipe down door knobs, handles and stair rails throughout campus two times each day."
Hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed throughout campus with more being delivered this week, she explained. Sanitary wipes are also located in classrooms and around computer centers.
"We have also posted hand washing signs and posters on the symptoms and signs of H1N1," said Yoder. "We are preparing to post information on our plasma screens, as well as posting tips on correct hand washing."
To her knowledge, there have not been any reported cases of the swine flu on the NSCC campus.
The same can be said for Defiance College.
"As an institution we are monitoring the H1N1 flu situation closely," said Ken Wetstein, vice president for student engagement and dean of students. "Our director of health and wellness is in weekly contact with the Defiance County Health Department. We are also maintaining regular communication with the Ohio Board of Regents to stay current with recommendations from the state of Ohio and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for dealing with potential H1N1 cases."
DC administrators have reviewed the CDC's updated guidelines for institutions of higher education and are implementing aspects of those recommendations consistent with the college's existing flu pandemic emergency response plan.
"Our existing flu pandemic response plan provides a framework for campus decision-making based on the intensity and/or geographic proximity of pandemic flu outbreaks on or near our campus, including H1N1," noted Wetstein. "We are ready to adjust or escalate our institutional response based on conditions as they develop or at the behest of the local health department."
DC administrators have taken numerous steps as part of the flu response plan.
Wetstein noted that the college's health center director has presented tips to the incoming freshmen on hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and general precautions to avoid the spread of influenza.
"Presentations have been made to our residential students in building meetings on the same topics," he said. "We have also discussed the CDC's recommended self-isolation procedures with our residential students. We have identified several safe rooms in our residential communities where residential students with flu-like symptoms can more easily self-isolate."
Signs, flyers and mirror stickers have been placed around the campus about hygiene. Health information will also be sent to students by e-mail and the campus newsletter. In addition, the custodial staff will work on specific preventive cleaning procedures.
"We have made the seasonal influenza vaccine available to members of the campus community at cost," added Wetstein, "a practice we have done every year for quite some time. If and when a specific H1N1 vaccination program becomes available, we will work closely with the health department in administering the vaccine to members of our campus community."
Also keeping in contact with its local health department is Owens Community College, with campuses in Findlay and Perrysburg, reported Brad Meyer, director of public and media relations.
"Owens Community College is continuously monitoring the flu conditions by working closely across campuses and with the health departments of Wood County, Hancock County and Lucas County, as well as following the guidelines and recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make informed decisions concerning our academic institution," said Meyer.
OCC is also encouraging all students, employees and campus visitors to follow CDC health guidelines:
-- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Use the alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are posted in the public areas of the campuses.
-- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue in the trash.
-- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
-- Avoid close contact with sick people.
-- Influenza is spread mainly through person-to-person contact by coughing or sneezing. Germs can spread by touching contaminated surfaces.
-- The CDC recommends people who are ill to stay home from work or school.
OCC administrators are also encouraging the public to monitor the college's website at www.owens.edu and click on the H1N1 flu information link for further details.
"The college is in the midst of its second annual Emergency Preparedness Safety Week, which is being held in conjunction with National Preparedness Month," Meyer stated. "One of the community programs being offered to employees and students is H1N1 informational sessions, which are intended to provide various public safety information for attendees."
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also placed throughout the OCC campuses. Meyer noted that extra cleaning measures are being taken within such areas as restroom facilities. Signs with health tips are also placed throughout the campus promoting the importance of cleanliness.
http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/4667819
By JENNY DERRINGER
Local school districts have been taking precautions in the event the swine flu (H1N1) becomes a health concern locally.
Also taking steps to help ensure the good health of its students and staff are area colleges since health departments report that the vaccine may not be available until late October.
Since public places can be a breeding ground for germs, emphasizing cleanliness is a high priority.
"We met with the Henry County Health Department and Henry County Emergency Management Services," said Mari Yoder, vice president of institutional advancement at Northwest State Community College. "We have also hired an additional two student workers to wipe down door knobs, handles and stair rails throughout campus two times each day."
Hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed throughout campus with more being delivered this week, she explained. Sanitary wipes are also located in classrooms and around computer centers.
"We have also posted hand washing signs and posters on the symptoms and signs of H1N1," said Yoder. "We are preparing to post information on our plasma screens, as well as posting tips on correct hand washing."
To her knowledge, there have not been any reported cases of the swine flu on the NSCC campus.
The same can be said for Defiance College.
"As an institution we are monitoring the H1N1 flu situation closely," said Ken Wetstein, vice president for student engagement and dean of students. "Our director of health and wellness is in weekly contact with the Defiance County Health Department. We are also maintaining regular communication with the Ohio Board of Regents to stay current with recommendations from the state of Ohio and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for dealing with potential H1N1 cases."
DC administrators have reviewed the CDC's updated guidelines for institutions of higher education and are implementing aspects of those recommendations consistent with the college's existing flu pandemic emergency response plan.
"Our existing flu pandemic response plan provides a framework for campus decision-making based on the intensity and/or geographic proximity of pandemic flu outbreaks on or near our campus, including H1N1," noted Wetstein. "We are ready to adjust or escalate our institutional response based on conditions as they develop or at the behest of the local health department."
DC administrators have taken numerous steps as part of the flu response plan.
Wetstein noted that the college's health center director has presented tips to the incoming freshmen on hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and general precautions to avoid the spread of influenza.
"Presentations have been made to our residential students in building meetings on the same topics," he said. "We have also discussed the CDC's recommended self-isolation procedures with our residential students. We have identified several safe rooms in our residential communities where residential students with flu-like symptoms can more easily self-isolate."
Signs, flyers and mirror stickers have been placed around the campus about hygiene. Health information will also be sent to students by e-mail and the campus newsletter. In addition, the custodial staff will work on specific preventive cleaning procedures.
"We have made the seasonal influenza vaccine available to members of the campus community at cost," added Wetstein, "a practice we have done every year for quite some time. If and when a specific H1N1 vaccination program becomes available, we will work closely with the health department in administering the vaccine to members of our campus community."
Also keeping in contact with its local health department is Owens Community College, with campuses in Findlay and Perrysburg, reported Brad Meyer, director of public and media relations.
"Owens Community College is continuously monitoring the flu conditions by working closely across campuses and with the health departments of Wood County, Hancock County and Lucas County, as well as following the guidelines and recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make informed decisions concerning our academic institution," said Meyer.
OCC is also encouraging all students, employees and campus visitors to follow CDC health guidelines:
-- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Use the alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are posted in the public areas of the campuses.
-- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue in the trash.
-- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
-- Avoid close contact with sick people.
-- Influenza is spread mainly through person-to-person contact by coughing or sneezing. Germs can spread by touching contaminated surfaces.
-- The CDC recommends people who are ill to stay home from work or school.
OCC administrators are also encouraging the public to monitor the college's website at www.owens.edu and click on the H1N1 flu information link for further details.
"The college is in the midst of its second annual Emergency Preparedness Safety Week, which is being held in conjunction with National Preparedness Month," Meyer stated. "One of the community programs being offered to employees and students is H1N1 informational sessions, which are intended to provide various public safety information for attendees."
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also placed throughout the OCC campuses. Meyer noted that extra cleaning measures are being taken within such areas as restroom facilities. Signs with health tips are also placed throughout the campus promoting the importance of cleanliness.
http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/4667819