Novel Coronavirus

Health Alert

Colleagues,

As you may know from media reports, there is an ongoing outbreak of a new Coronavirus in Hubei Province, China with associated patients diagnosed in South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, France, Malaysia, Australia, Nepal and the USA. The current situation is that there are 2794 confirmed cases of new coronavirus infection and 80 deaths. The World Health Organization met and has decided not to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Signs of infection

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Transmission

While the cause of the pneumonia is a novel coronavirus, the understanding of the transmission potential and modes of transmission remain incomplete. Therefore, it would be prudent to reduce the general risk of acquiring acute respiratory infections while travelling by:

• avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections;

• frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment;

• avoiding close contact with live or dead farm or wild animals;

• travelers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands).

• do not travel if you are sick – note that some locations have implemented screening, and travelers may face quarantine and testing (ISOS)

What to do in case of symptoms during or after travel

In case of symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness either during or after travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention as soon as possible and to share their travel history with their healthcare provider.

Expanse is closely monitoring the situation as it evolves, and further updates will be released as appropriate.

For additional info, please visit any of these websites:

▪ WHO: https://www.who.int/ith/2020-24-01-outbreak-of-Pneumonia-caused-by-new-coronavirus/en/

▪ CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html

Regards,

Brett Swinden | Vice President, Human Resources