Bulletin No. 1, 2020

The Corona Chronicle 7 Charting the Sea T he University geared itself up for the battle soon after a cluster of pneumonia cases with unknown cause were reported in Wuhan on the threshold of the New Year. In tandem with the Serious Response Level activated by the government on 4 January, the University’s Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP) has been closely monitoring the development of the coronavirus situation and taking into account the recommendations of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health. The University Health Service (UHS) has also stepped up health surveillance on campus. Prof. David Hui , Chairman of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics and an authority on respiratory disease who joined the panel of experts advising the government, gave a range of tips to the CUHK community for preventing exposure to and infection with the new virus in two video clips released on 22 and 23 January. His advice included: establishing good personal hygiene and washing hands frequently; wearing a surgical mask in a crowded place; and seeking immediate medical attention at the nearest accident and emergency hospital department if one came back to Hong Kong from the mainland and caught a fever or showed symptoms of a respiratory illness. After announcing on 24 January the cancellation of exchange programmes and the suspension of short-term academic activities in mainland China, the University decided the next day to extend the Lunar New Year break until 17 February. The CHPP activated the Emergency Response Level—the second highest in the health alert ladder—in an attempt to rise to a situation where the risk of a novel virus causing new and serious impact to human health in Hong Kong was high and imminent. All students and staff members had to use specified forms for health declaration and 14-day self- monitoring before returning to campus. On the other hand, the Emergency Response Group was formed and led by Prof. Rocky S. Tuan , Vice-Chancellor and President, and staffed by members of senior management and relevant heads of the professional and administrative services units. The Group has been meeting regularly and frequently to stay abreast of local and overseas developments and to deliberate on infection control and academic and work arrangements. The Group also consulted and conferred with members of the Colleges, Faculties, other units and outside parties to arrive at decisions and take necessary actions in the face of fast-changing challenges. Prof. David Hui Chairman of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics Prof. Rocky S. Tuan Vice-Chancellor and President