COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Preparedness

HomeCOVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Preparedness

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We are closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, and will keep this webpage updated with the most current information about any impact to School of Nursing operations.

If you’re concerned about your health, contact your health care provider or UM Immediate Care, at 667-214-1899.

If you suspect you have a case of COVID-19 and will be absent, you should notify your:

  • Students: instructor(s)
  • Faculty: department chair
  • Staff: supervisor

You may also complete and submit the UMB Community COVID-19 Potential Exposure Concern form.

UMSON Status

Updated March 20, 2020, 11 a.m.:

  • Classes, Clinicals and Practicums, Labs and Simulation Activities: conducted remotely
  • In-Person Events: canceled through May 9; some offered in an alternative format
  • Employees: follow UMB's Telework Policy
  • Universities at Shady Grove: Updates on COVID-19

Updated March 12, 2020, 6 p.m.:

UMB/UMMS Policies and Guidance Regarding COVID-19

Additional Information

Information for Students

Communications

Resources 

If you are feeling increased anxiety because of the crisis and its disruption to your life, UMB offers counseling resources through the Student Counseling Center (410-328-8404).

Videos

Information for Faculty and Staff

Communications

Forms

Resources

If you are feeling increased anxiety because of the crisis and its disruption to your life, UMB offers counseling resources through our Employee Assistance Program (667-214-1555). Download a brochure.

Videos

Information for Clinical Partners

Communications

Information for Alumni

  • March 31, 2020 COVID-19 Employment Opportunity
    from Lisa Rowen, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, University of Maryland Medical Center
  • March 19, 2020: UMSON Update
    from Jane M. Kirschling, Dean

COVID-19 Resources

UMB COVID-19 News and Resources
for the campus preparedness plan, informational videos, and FAQs

UMB Alerts
for closings and other important campus-wide announcements

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
for updates on the spread of COVID-19 and recommendations to limit its spread

Maryland Department of Health COVID-19 Webpage
for Maryland-specific COVID-19 updates

Prevention

Our top priority at this time is to remain as healthy as possible by utilizing good prevention practices, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the University of Maryland Medical Center:

  • Avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Avoid shaking hands.
  • Maintain social distances of at least 6 feet.
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
  • Only wear a facemask if you are sick.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Use a 60% (or more) alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Image courtesy the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Calling All Makers: Create Face Masks for UMMC Use!

four cloth masksHospital systems in the United States have been and will continue to be challenged to meet the needs of patients who may be COVID-19 positive. In light of this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued guidance approving the use of cloth masks. If you are able to sew such masks, UMSON is collecting them to be delivered to the University of Maryland Medical Center weekly. You can find links to instructions, a PDF template, and collection details below.

Please make mask ties at least 16.5 inches each.

The links above follow CDC guidelines and have links to the CDC website. Unlike the N95 masks, these are not designed to prevent COVID-19 entirely; however, they will prevent some transmission, and the CDC has approved them for use.
  • Cloth masks can be distributed to patients in the hospital or at discharge who desire a mask and do not require PPE, which will help to conserve the hospital’s PPE
  • Cloth masks can be used for non-clinical staff who desire a barrier but do not require PPE for their role and work
  • Cloth masks are sewn using CDC specifications
  • Cloth masks will not be used for COVID-19 positive or COVID-19 suspected patients; only approved PPE will be used for hospital staff who provide care to these patients
  • There are two variations of the mask – folded and fitted – and both are options when creating these masks 
  • Sewing experience, not expertise, is required to fabricate these correctly
  • We greatly appreciate the caring people in the community who have joined in this effort to individually support the healthcare community 

Once you have made the masks, please mail then to:

Susan Dorsey
5401 Hamlet Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21214

If you have any questions about connecting with Susan, please email her (sdorsey@umaryland.edu). Susan will deliver the face masks to UMSON weekly, and UMMC will arrange to send someone to UMSON to pick them up.

If you have questions or need additional guidance for making the masks, please feel free to reach out to Deb Greenspan, who is coordinating this effort with Susan. 

Guidance and Letters to the UMB Community

Image courtesy the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Impact Summary

  

Upcoming UMSON Town Halls