For updates, visit our dedicated Coronavirus page.

Webb Institute is monitoring the situation surrounding the outbreak of coronavirus disease. As of March 8th, there are 105 confirmed cases in New York including five in Nassau County. These numbers will increase. We currently know of no Webb campus members who have been infected with the coronavirus or are specifically at risk due to potential contact with infected individuals. We are in regular contact with the NY State Department of Health and the Nassau County Department of Health, we have conferred with Webb’s local doctor and the hospital in Glen Cove to ensure that they are prepared to assist Webb.

During winter work, a few of our students made short stops in the airports of countries that are currently at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Warning Level 3 status. These students have not developed coronavirus symptoms. We have cleared their status with the NY State Department of Health.

Important information related to the coronavirus and steps being taken at Webb to mitigate any impact on the Webb community include:

Symptoms of coronavirus:
The following symptoms may appear in 2 to 14 days after exposure:

•  Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Refer to the CDC website for further information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

What should you do if you display symptoms of the coronavirus disease:
We ask students who are experiencing symptoms consistent with coronavirus, including fever, cough and shortness of breath, to call Webb’s on-call phone (516.776.7278) or Lauren Carballo, Director of Admissions and Student Affairs. They will assist you in getting the appropriate medical support. If you are ill, please do not attend class. Faculty will provide support for students who are unable to attend class due to illness. We will also provide assistance in obtaining meals if needed.

What can you do to avoid exposure to the coronavirus disease:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease. CDC recommends the following preventative actions, which can help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and other respiratory viruses. For further information, refer to the CDC website at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home or remain in your dorm room and call the on-call phone if you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

What is Webb doing to help mitigate the potential impact of the coronavirus:

• The staff has increased cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces such as restrooms and dining areas.
• We are placing sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizing stations in the public areas around campus.
• We have set aside guest rooms to be used quarantining students if needed.
• We are canceling all offsite events through the end of March. By mid-March, we will decide if events will be canceled through April.
•  All members of the Webb campus community are encouraged to avoid offsite non-essential travel.
• We ask all students, faculty, and staff to report to Lana Miller, Director of Human Resources, any intended international travel. Countries with CDC Warning Level 3 should be avoided. Any member of the Webb community that travels to countries with Warning Level 3 will be requested to stay away from campus and self-quarantine for a period of two weeks.
• We are developing contingency plans should we have an active outbreak of coronavirus in the region. This includes the possibility of sending faculty and/or students home and conducting classes online or through other means.

I will keep you updated regarding the coronavirus and steps being taken on the Webb campus. Should you have any questions related to Webb’s response to the coronavirus, please do not hesitate to contact me or Lauren Carballo, our Director of Admissions and Student Affairs (ude.bbew@ollabracl).

Sincerely,

President Keith Michel ’73