H1N1 - REMINDER TO CONCORDIA STUDENTS ABOUT UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES
(Nov. 2009)

As the number of H1N1 cases rises in the general public, the university would like to remind you of some basic university procedures:

Stay at home if you are sick and report your absence:

• If you are suffering from influenza–like illness – a fever of 38°C or 100.4°F or more, accompanied by one or several of the following: cough, headache, fatigue or weakness, body or muscle aches, sore throat, chills – please stay at home. Do not come to class – you will be asked to leave immediately.
• Students with the flu should NOT return to class until fever-free (without fever-reducing medication) for 24 hours.
• Students in residence who have influenza-like illness should immediately inform their Residence Assistant (RA). There is a support program in place in all residences.

Medical notes:

• So as not to overburden the health care system, public health officials have requested the public to only seek medical assistance in the case of an emergency (see the chart). Therefore, until further notice, medical notes for students will not be required for influenza-like illness.
• If influenza-like illness prevents you from fulfilling your academic requirements, i.e. missing assignment deadlines and/or mid-term exams, you must inform your professors by e-mail that you are absent with the flu.
• If influenza-like illness prevents you from writing final exams, you must communicate with your professor(s). Consult the Examinations Office website and submit the request form for a deferral (DEF) notation before the appropriate deadline. If you were confined to your home and not able to visit a doctor to obtain a medical note, please attach a personal letter with your request form indicating the dates you were ill with the H1N1 flu. We will process your application based on your letter.
• Please note that your e-mail constitutes a formal notification of illness on your part, and that false statements will be considered an offence under the Academic Code of Conduct. You should keep a copy for your own records.

Vaccinations

• Concordia Health Services is NOT giving H1N1 vaccinations.
• Updated vaccination information is available at the Quebec pandemic website
• Quebec health authorities strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated, both for your own protection and to help limit the spread of H1N1. Please respect the public vaccination schedule.

Concordia Health Services

• Please do not go to Concordia Health Services for H1N1 medical notes or for H1N1 vaccinations. Concordia Health Services continues to provide regular service to the Concordia community.
• If Concordia Health Services is your primary health provider, you may consult their services if you are experiencing difficulties. See the chart to determine when you should consult a health care professional.

The university is monitoring the H1N1 pandemic closely and will keep the Concordia community informed. Consult the university home page regularly for any updates.

 

FAQ

What happens to assignments that I can’t complete on time because I’m sick?

You must consult with your professor(s). Instructors have been asked to be flexible under these exceptional circumstances. You should also refer to the course outline and the university undergraduate calendar (Section 16.3) which describes evaluation and grading options. For graduate courses, you may consult your Graduate Programme Director

What about mid-term exams that I miss?

You must consult with your professor(s). Instructors have been asked to be flexible under these exceptional circumstances. You should also refer to the course outline and the university undergraduate calendar (Section 16.3) which describes evaluation and grading options. In the case of graduate courses, you may consult your Graduate Programme Director.

What about FINAL EXAMS that I may miss because of influenza-like symptoms?

Communicate with your professor(s). Consult the Examinations Office website and submit the request form for a deferral (DEF) notation before the appropriate deadline.

If you were confined to your home and not able to visit a doctor to obtain a medical note, please attach a personal letter with your request form indicating the dates you were ill with the H1N1 flu. We will process your application based on your letter.

Where can I get the H1N1 vaccination?

Consult the Quebec pandemic website

What if I am sick with influenza-like symptoms and feel that I need to see a doctor? Should I contact Concordia Health Services?

Consult the Decision Chart to help you decide on what action to take. If your symptoms correspond to the chart’s directive to seek out a health professional and Concordia Health Services is your primary health provider, please contact them for help. Concordia Health Services does not provide H1N1 vaccinations or medical notes for H1N1 (not needed) but continues to operate normally for all other health issues.

What should I do if I am sick and in a student residence?

Students who are ill are requested to self isolate. We will check in with them to ensure that they are hydrating themselves and to ensure that their symptoms are not worsening. For those students living in buildings with communal bathrooms, they are being provided with masks so that we can diminish the risk of transmission. Masks are not provided to those students who are well as this has not been recommended by any health agency. We will, however, continue to stress the need to properly wash hands. We will be instructing those students who are ill to clean their room once they are well to also reduce the risk of transmission.

We have also arranged for additional cleaning to take place within the communal living areas as required. To date, this has not been required.

We have worked with our Food Services provider, Chartwell’s, who are assisting us in providing food to resident students who are unable to go to the food service areas for meals. We are working with other Student Service departments as well as other university groups to ensure that if volunteers are required that we have a pool of individuals to help. At this time, we are able to manage well and those students who are ill, are recovering quickly.

Is wearing a mask effective to prevent H1N1?

At present, Canadian government authorities are not advising the population at large to wear masks to protect against influenza (H1N1). This measure has not yet been proven to be effective in avoiding influenza transmission. People often wear masks improperly or contaminate them when donning or removing them, actually increasing the risks of contamination. Only people who are ill should wear masks when they are with others, to avoid infecting them.

What is the most effective way to prevent H1N1 infection?

Please see information at www.concordia.ca/H1N1 and the information links provided.