The first Saints Alert of the new school year signaled an outbreak of the H1N1 virus on the St. Scholastica campus.
On Sept. 8, the college's emergency warning system sent subscribing students both emails and text messages reading, "A handful of students are reporting flu-like symptoms on the Duluth campus."
The messages also directed students to the college's website for more emergency information.
Even before the H1N1 outbreak on campus, an emergency response plan was put in place by CSS officials.
The plan advises students who contract the virus to go home or isolate themselves from the college community. It also advises students to select a "flu buddy" to help them keep up with classes during the recovery process.
CSS Communications Director Robert Ashenmacher confirmed 65 cases of student reported flu-like symptoms as of Sept. 23. He also said avoiding the H1N1 virus is fairly simple.
"Avoid people with flu-like symptoms such as coughs, wash your hands often, get plenty of rest, and avoid touching your fingers to your eyes, nose, or mouth," Ashenmacher said.
The H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as swine flu, acts very similarly to the seasonal flu, according to the CSS Health Services office. Symptoms of the H1N1 virus include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, chills, and fatigue.
Emergency Information