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MSU physician assistant named to national coronavirus task force

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MONTANA — A physician assistant from Montana State University’s University Health Partners has been appointed as a member of a new national task force created by the American College Health Association designed to provide accurate information and best practices for colleges and universities regarding the novel coronavirus.

Catherine Ebelke is the chair of the American College Health Association’s Travel Health Coalition and the coordinator of MSU’s Travel Clinic, which provides health and medical information and assistance to students, staff and faculty traveling internationally. Ebelke has been certified in travel medicine since 2010 and has been with University Health Partners since 1998. She spent time in Kathmandu, Nepal, working as a physician assistant before moving to Montana.

The ACHA COVID-19 Task Force is made up of medical and college health professionals from around the country. It will develop updated information, guidance and resources pertinent to colleges and universities related to the rapidly evolving international COVID-19 outbreak. The task force released a set of guidelines for colleges and universities on March 3.

“Our task force is working diligently to navigate this rapidly evolving situation and to create guidelines, which will serve as a valuable resource as we move forward,” Ebelke said. “We have some truly talented health professionals working on this challenge, and I am looking forward to working with such esteemed college health colleagues from around the country.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are likely to be more cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the U.S. in the coming days and weeks. As of March 4, the CDC has confirmed 100 cases in the U.S. with 10 total deaths. Cases have been confirmed in 13 states. There have been no cases of COVID-19 in Montana so far.

The ACHA task force reports that disruptions to travel are likely to continue for the next several months. These will likely impact international students and study abroad programs, as well as spring break plans. 

To place the number of COVID-19 cases in context, the CDC estimates that the U.S. has seen 15 million cases of the common flu virus this year, resulting in 140,000 hospitalizations and 8,200 deaths. The agency recommends flu vaccines for everyone who is able to receive them, as well as standard protections against respiratory illness, such as washing hands, covering sneezes and coughs and disinfecting common areas. The same precautions apply to illnesses such as COVID-19.

MSU and University Health Partners remain in close contact with Gallatin City-County Health Department officials and maintain frequent updates on COVID-19 from the CDC, World Health Organization and Department of Public Health and Human Services, Ebelke said. UHP recommends staying home if you are sick but calling your doctor, UHP or other health care services if you feel it is becoming serious. Ebelke added that patients with a fever or cough should wear a face mask while inside health care facilities or in public areas.

UHP also notes that patients should be sure to notify their health care providers if they have a travel history, including domestic travel, that may put them at higher risk for COVID-19 exposure, or if they have had known contact with someone who is ill with the disease.

 

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