Parents Letter

Dear Parents,

We are looking forward to students arriving on campus for fall semester and the beginning of a new school year.

Given the concerns about H1N1 influenza A (also referred to as swine flu), we’d like to provide you with information regarding Concordia’s response to this potential threat. We are relying on advice from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Clay County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Minnesota Department of Health officials are emphasizing that even though H1N1 now seems to more closely resemble seasonal flu, there is still cause for concern. They are asking schools to observe students, staff and faculty for influenza symptoms and recommending that ill people stay at home. They are also emphasizing the continued importance of self protection measures like hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes.

If your student experiences any of the following symptoms – fever of 100°F or greater and a cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue and possibly diarrhea and vomiting – we are recommending that they go to the campus Health Center to be evaluated. The Health Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The college also provides after hours on-call consultation.

If your student is diagnosed with the H1N1 flu, they will be advised not to attend classes or other campus activities until they are symptom-free for 24 hours (including no fever). For those students living within a reasonable distance from the campus, it may be appropriate to consider recuperating at home.

The following common-sense precautions should help prevent the flu: wash hands frequently; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; get plenty of rest, adequate nutrition and fluid intake; and avoid contact with others who become ill.

We anticipate that health officials may recommend that all our students receive the H1N1 vaccine. In light of that possibility, planning is in progress to offer free vaccinations on campus.

Additional information is available at the following websites:
www.co.clay.mn.us
www.CDC.gov
www.flu.gov

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the Health Center (218) 299-3662 or at benson@cord.edu.

Kindest regards,

Kathy Benson
Health Center Administrator		 Jim Meier
Dean of Student Life

Information For:

current students
faculty and staff		 parents
alumni		 high school students
admitted students