Student Health Center
Ohlone College Administrative Update
about the Swine Flu (Influenza A H1N1)
I want to assure everyone at Ohlone from students to faculty and staff that the District’s administration is working closely with Sally Bratton, RN, FNP, PA-C, and Director of the Student Health Center to monitor the rapidly changing reports about the Swine Flu. Sally is keeping our information accurate and up to date.
The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control have outlined specific steps to take in the case of further outbreaks. However, they urge cautious implementation of these steps and the need to avoid undue panic.
Ohlone has a well-prepared emergency response team that has been mobilized to respond to changing news in this situation. At the current time, no action is required, but as updates come in from the media and from responsible health care associations we are prepared to respond to any changes.
Information regarding steps to take if you feel ill or what might happen if outbreaks of the Swine flu affect Ohlone students are outlined below.
- Gari Browning, Ph.D. , President, Ohlone College
Return to Swine Flu (H1N1) Info, Updates & Tips.
Q. Is the College cancelling classes?
No, the College is remaining open.
The College will remain open to support the academic efforts of its students. However, we must make sure that the safety and health of students, faculty and staff is not compromised. We depend on everyone’s combined efforts to make this possible.
Q. What Can I do?
Adhere to all the sanitation advice that has been recommended by the CDC and our own Heath Center—frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, covering your mouth if coughing or sneezing.
Keep yourself informed about this situation by regularly checking the College website for updates. Media coverage on this issue is vast, complex and changing regularly. Do not get overwhelmed with information but stick to reliable web sites such as Ohlone’s.
We are keeping all information up to date and accurate, relying on the CDC and other health organizations in our region for appropriate advice.
Q. What if I begin to feel ill?
If you are ill, especially if you have flu-like symptoms, including coughing, body aches and fever, don’t come to campus. Call the Heath Center for advice and/or resources: (510) 659-6258.
Q. What would cause the College to close?
Any confirmed case of Swine Flu among our students, faculty or staff would most likely trigger a mandated closure. Any suspected Swine Flu illness that is also related to travel/exposure in an area that is known to have reported cases could trigger a closing until a swine flu culture was confirmed. Anyone suffering flu-like symptoms should contact our Health Center and their personal doctor.
Q. How would the College close?
In the case of a closure, the College would utilize its emergency response system to evacuate the campus. The College website, email, and text messaging systems would be utilized to maintain communication regarding when classes would resume.
The exact timing and duration of a closure could disrupt classes, finals and even the commencement ceremony. However, this is not the case at the present time.
While impossible to predict the next steps at this time, every effort will be made to maintain students’ academic progress and their safety.
Emergency