In the event of an influenza or infectious disease pandemic, colleges and universities will play an integral role in protecting the health and safety of students, employees and their families. East Georgia College's Pandemic and Infectious Disease Response Plan follows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) framework specifically designed to assist colleges and universities to prepare for and respond to an influenza and infectious disease pandemic. The plan aligns college response with the World Health Organization (WHO) incident threat levels.
EGC Pandemic and Infectious Disease Coordinator: Dr. Jack H. Austin, Jr., Board certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Augusta, Georgia will monitor CDC warnings, maintain official tally of reported and suspected cases, and establish protocol and homecare for pandemic and infectious disease cases on EGC campus including on-campus housing.
EGC Chief of Public Safety in coordination with EGC Student Health Clinic Medical practitioner will tally reported and suspected cases and maintain frequent contact with EGC Pandemic and Infectious Disease Coordinator Dr. Jack Austin, Emanuel County Health Department, 911 and USG Safety and Security.
EGC Infectious Disease Coordinator:
Dr. Jimmy Wedincamp (478) 289-2143
These steps may help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as the flu:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away immediately after use in a designated trash receptacle.
- Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based (60-95%) hand cleaner.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- If you get the flu or suspect that you have the flu, stay home from work. This will help prevent others from catching your illness.
To avoid spreading germs, try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Communication During Outbreak
- Employees should maintain contact with their immediate supervisors for essential information.
- General information pertaining to college operations will be posted on the EGC website, broadcast on the local and regional radio and television stations.
- Sick leave should be reported to Human Resources.
- Refer students to Vice President of Student and Enrollment Services or Vice President for Academic Affairs for information on continuity of instruction. EGC will follow CDC recommendations which include restricting travel to and from affected domestic and international areas, recalling nonessential employees working in or near an affected area when an outbreak begins, and distributing health information to persons who are returning from affected areas.