Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates

Dear students,

During this last week the school’s faculty, directive team, and I have been immersed in working towards a plan that would allow for a minimal interruption in the completion of this semester’s academic goals. These efforts centered on a somewhat return to normalcy after March 30, with the latest information on the COVID-19 health emergency, this does not seem likely.

It is important to note that the academic recess decreed runs through the dates for which the governor of Puerto Rico issued an executive order requiring people to shelter in place. Gatherings and transit of people for purposes not included in the executive order as exempt are currently forbidden and subject to police intervention. If this executive order were to be extended as currently redacted, meeting for classes or laboratories, activities not included in the executive order as exempt, would be illegal.

At this point, I must inform you of the following directives handed down by the president of the IAUPR, Manuel Fernós.

Academic activity at all units of the IAUPR, including the School of Optometry, will resume on March 31. When academic activity resumes it will be web-based for the rest of this semester. This applies to all classes, laboratories, clinics, and all academic activities.

Externships remain canceled. Students are encouraged to return home and await further instructions.

As I am sure you are aware, this course of action presents many challenges to all of us at the School of Optometry, most notably to all involved in laboratory, preclinical and clinical experiences.

However unique this situation may be, we are not alone. We have been in constant communication with ASCO and all schools of optometry nationwide are facing similar challenges during this health emergency. As such we will be outlining similar strategies and sharing resources to overcome these challenges.

At this time, we encourage all of you to travel to your homes. Those of you who are currently staying in the university dorm must return home.

Before March 31 you will be receiving a more specific communication according to your year of study outlining how we will complete this academic term.

I am sure there will be many more questions and in the following days, we will be providing answers to those.

The safety and well-being of our students require these actions.

Cordially,

Andres Pagan, OD MPH

Dean

This afternoon, the World Health Organization has declared the current CoVID19 a pandemic. It is important to note that this declaration refers to the spread of the disease, rather than the severity of the illness it causes. As of today, the CDC reports the spread of the disease to over 100 countries. In Puerto Rico there have yet to be any confirmed cases, however, tests of 5 persons under investigation have been sent to the CDC for analysis.

The CDC expects more cases of COVID19 to be identified in the United States in the coming days, including more instances of community-based transmission and eventually widespread transmission. There is yet much to know concerning CoVID19, reported illnesses have ranged from very mild (including some with no reported symptoms) to severe, including illness resulting in death.

Until there is additional guidance issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health, the IAUPR School of Optometry plans to move forward with all academic activities as scheduled. Nonetheless, contingency measures have been undertaken to make sure that the academic term will not be lost. We would also like to share some specific actions that have been undertaken at the school to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our community:

• AC air filters were replaced with higher efficiency ones
• Additional spray and wipe disinfectants were distributed to personnel in all service areas
• Maintenance personnel have been instructed to continually clean high traffic areas and surfaces
• School hand sanitizer and soap dispensers have been refilled and are continuously monitored
• The doors with the greatest foot traffic will remain open
• A Travel Advisory for students will be distributed

As in the last communication, I would like to share with you some recommendations from our Department of Health to avoid the spread of disease-causing germs:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it away.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Cordially,

Andres Pagán Dean

I am sure you are all aware of the current outbreak of CovID19 (coronavirus infectious disease 2019) in China and the many warnings issued by the CDC to all travelers and the community in general. In Puerto Rico, our local Department of Health is currently providing information on its website about influenza and CovID19, of the latter there are currently no reported cases on the island.

Both these diseases are caused by viruses and require the transmission of the virus to spread throughout the community. There are many simple things we can do to stop the spread of these infections and protect ourselves. I would like to share with you some recommendations from our Department of Health:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it away.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

To this list, I would like to add something particularly relevant to us Puerto Ricans and that is to avoid physical contact during greetings. Something as simple as avoiding shaking hands can help curb the spread of these disease-causing viruses. Let us all adopt these recommendations to keep our community safe and healthy.

We will soon be providing information on specific measures the university will be taking to attend to this situation, however, rest assured that many actions have already been undertaken and others are in progress.

Cordially,

Andres Pagán Dean