Swine Flu Effect on Student Housing

Many of you are well aware of the current spread of the Swine Flu throughout the globe. Student Housing Services has a Flu Pandemic Plan that we have been preparing for years. It is not known yet if the Swine Flu will become a Pandemic - but we are monitoring the situation quite closely. Yesterday the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care raised the Provincial Status Indicator from “Green - Routine” to “Yellow - Enhanced.”

At the “Yellow - Enhanced” level it is important for a high risk area like a student residence to be particularly diligent in the prevention and surveillance of Flu cases.

§ We are unable to accept any further Applications for Residence Extension

§ We are unable to accept any further Exceptions for Overnight Guests

§ Individuals passing into the secure area of our Residence Buildings are being asked to Sanitize with the provided Hand Sanitizer

§ The Residence Life Team will be distributing Self-Diagnosis and Flu Information Cards throughout the Residence. For Tracking purposes please e-mail housing@ryerson.ca to let us know if you contract the flu

§ We ask day-time guests that have traveled to affected areas in the past 21 days or are exhibiting Cold and Flu-like symptoms to refrain from entering the Residence.

For more information on the Ministry of Health’s Provincial Status Indicators please visit http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/emu/prov_status.html

If you would like more information about swine flu, its symptoms and how to help protect yourself against transmission, please visit the Ryerson Health Centre website at http://www.ryerson.ca/studentservices/healthcentre/forms/swineflu_faq.pdf.

If you have a question or concern regarding these guidelines please feel free to contact Student Housing Services reception at x5284 or housing@ryerson.ca.

Student Housing Services