Dear Students: As of March 6, 2020, COVID-19 has caused 100,347 confirmed infections worldwide and 3,408 confirmed deaths. This is a case fatality rate of approximately 3.4%, which is subject to change as time progresses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 164 cases have been found in patients in the U.S. There are 48 cases in Canada. There are now four reported cases in New York City and one reported case in Nassau County, Long Island. The latter case is presumed to be a "community acquired" case, which indicates that it is not associated with travel to a high-risk area. The New York State Health Department's Wadsworth Laboratory now has the capacity to test for the causative agent of COVID-19, SARS COV-2, so it is likely that we will begin to see an increase in reported cases. Videos, FAQs and More New York Tech is closely monitoring the situation. Although, to date, there have been no documented reported cases within our institution, COVID-19 is the topic of daily meetings held by senior administrators and our medical professionals to assess available information. General information/updates, new instructional videos, and self-care tips can be found at nyit.edu/covid. In addition, more detailed information/FAQs about travel, what to do in specific scenarios, and additional self-care instructions can be found via my.nyit.edu (log-in required). Recent announcements on this page include notice that all New York Tech-led study abroad through August 31, 2020 has been canceled. COVID-19 Information from Brian Harper, M.D., M.P.H., New York Tech Medical Director In the meantime, our facilities team has increased the cleaning frequency of all our facilities, has more than doubled the number of hand sanitizers on every floor throughout all campus buildings, and is adding signage across our campuses to remind us all to wash our hands thoroughly and often. We've also ensured that the disinfectant we are using is effective against coronaviruses and emerging viral pathogens. Additional Resources In addition to your local resources, the Academic Health Center is available to answer questions and assist those who are not feeling well. We can be reached at 516.686.1300. It is also understandable that members of our New York Tech community may have concerns about a new and unfamiliar illness. If you are feeling anxious or uneasy, please reach out to Counseling and Wellness Services at our campuses in Long Island (516.686.7683) or New York City (212.261.1773) to talk or make an appointment, or stop by during the drop-in hours indicated on the Counseling and Wellness Services web page. Sincerely, Brian L. Harper M.D., M.P.H. Chief Medical Officer, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine