Novel Coronavirus Precautions

Office of the Provost

On January 30th, the World Health Organization declared the rapidly spreading outbreak of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) that originated in Wuhan, China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The university has been proactively working with campus partners, as well as closely monitoring the spread of the virus in order to safeguard the health and well-being of the HCU community.

The Director of Public Safety along with health services staff have updated the bio hazard policy to include known coronavirus indicators.  All international students from the affected region have reported clear for symptoms at this time.

In accordance with the recommendations of the CDC and the U.S. Department of State , HCU has designated China as a high-risk travel destination. Until further notice, all university-sponsored travel to mainland China is suspended. The university strongly recommends that everyone reconsider even personal travel to China at the present time.

HCU is committed to the health and safety of our campus community and will work with individuals and groups to find alternative solutions to meet any academic or programmatic objectives impacted by this decision.

Frequently Asked Questions


What are the symptoms of the coronavirus?
Symptoms related to this coronavirus strain include fever above 100.4 F, cough and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia or other complications.

How does the virus spread?
The CDC and other health organizations are currently investigating how the virus is spread. It most likely originated from an animal source but now appears to be spreading from person-to-person. It is not yet known how easily the virus can be spread.

How can I prevent coronavirus?
The CDC will provide additional guidance as they learn more about the virus. For now, health care professionals recommend taking the same precautions as protecting against flu, including frequent hand-washing, not sharing food or drink with others, staying home if you are sick, and protecting your immune system by getting adequate sleep. If you have not yet received a flu vaccine, there is still time to do so.

The HCU community continues to pray for God’s healing for those affected, the healthcare professionals caring for the sick, and the scientists working on developing a vaccine.

Office of the Provost