Monday, July 13, 2009
8:12 AM
Title: INFLUENZA A (H1N1) ALERT ADVISORY NO. 17
Dear NYP Students,
1. Temperature Screening
Please note that NYP will continue with twice-daily temperature screening for all students and staff while on campus, until further notice.
Temperature screening will continue to be held at the Temperature Assessment Centre (TAC) at the Auditorium on all weekdays. Please proceed to the TAC twice a day for temperature screening whenever you are on campus on Mondays to Fridays. Stickers will be issued - AM (valid between 7.30 am and 2 pm) and PM (11.30 am onwards until 7 pm). Students who are on campus on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays should take their temperature twice daily with their personal thermometers.
2. Leave of Absence
Influenza A (H1N1-2009) is now a global pandemic and is widely circulating in all communities. As such, a travel advisory is less useful as the risk of contracting the virus at home or in any other country evens.
In line with MOH's advisory and as mentioned in our earlier Advisory No 16, LOA (Returning from Affected Countries) have not been issued from 6 July 09. However, please note that LOA will continue to be served to those who are close contacts of H1N1 confirmed cases. Students whose household members are confirmed cases serving HQO at home are considered as close contacts and should therefore inform your respective Schools to make arrangements for your LOAs to be served.
3. High Risk Groups
Students who develop influenza-like symptons should put on a surgical mask and visit the nearest Pandemic Preparedness Clinic (PPC) or polyclinic as soon as possible. The list of PPC can be found at MOH website (http://www.moh.gov.sg). They should avoid taking public transport if possible. Depending on the severity of their illness and other risk factors, they may be referred to hospitals for further management.
High Risk Groups as defined by MOH are:
- Persons aged 65 years and older
- Children aged less than 5 years
- Persons with chronic metabolic disease (including diabetes mellitus), chronic lung disease (including asthma) or chronic heart disease
- Children and teenagers less than 18 years old who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
- Persons with medical conditions such as cancer on active treatment, organ transplant, dialysis or immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
- Pregnant women
Very High Risk* Groups defined by MOH are:
- Pregnant women, patients on cancer treatment and patients on dialysis
* Students who belong to very high-risk groups should consult the specialist who has been taking care of them. If they do not have a specialist, they should go to the nearest PPC.
4. Good Personal Hygiene and Social Responsibility
All students are reminded to remain vigilant and practise good personal hygiene. You are encouraged to take personal preventive measures, such as:
- Hand Hygiene : use soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Avoid close contact with sick people
Students who are given MCs subsequently should be socially responsible and rest at home. They should minimise physical contact with others, including household members. If they need to go out, they should put on a surgical mask and avoid crowded places. They should not return to campus before the end of the leave period. If their condition deteriorates and they develop symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, chest pain, severe and persistent vomiting, they should call 995 immediately for an ambulance.
5. Updates
As the situation is constantly evolving, you are advised to refer to the MOH website daily for updates. Please refer to the latest press release from MOH for its advice on personal hygiene, social responsibility and travel precautions.
http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/pressreleases.aspx
Thank You.
Regards,
Anthony Woon
Registrar