Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Sunday Morning
SARS Threat Becomes Growing Concern in Colleges Abroad
Aired April 20, 2003 - 07:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: The SARS threat is a growing concern at colleges abroad, where large numbers of students come from Hong Kong, as well as China.
Here's Liz George in London.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LIZ GEORGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Enjoying the sunshine, these few students make the most of the relative quiet at their university during the Easter vacation. In the next few days, terms start. And with it will come the usual influx of students, including those arriving from overseas.
More than 20,000 come from Hong Kong and China, areas where SARS, the respiratory disease, is prevalent.
ADRIAN UNDERWOOD, BOARDING SCHOOLS ASSN.: I have a guy in my presentation group who is originally -- is British, but is from Hong Kong. So he wanted to go home. And he just planned trips. And they start -- the World Health Organization made the announcement.
So he delayed his flight, but he's still going out. So he's going home to visit family in Hong Kong. And then he's coming back. And I have to spend the next week quite intensively with him. So it'll be interesting.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think they should have medical check-ups. And then, everything else if fine then.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If we must to have body check before they come back to London, because I think the disease is terrible, real terrible.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm really scared. And plus, I plan for a trip to go back home next month. So I'm really scared.
GEORGE: Policies vary from college to college, but it's largely up to the students whether they quarantine themselves or get medical check-ups.
For younger students, schools are being more strict. Upwards of 7,000 pupils attending independent boarding schools come from infected areas. Adrian Underwood ways at the very least, head teachers are requiring regular medical check-ups when term time begins. UNDERWOOD: Schools are also taking a precaution of keeping those who have been in these areas in one dormitory or bedroom, rather than sharing with U.K. boarders. And in addition, some schools, and with 550 independent schools, it's their decision, have taught with their own medical offices. And they've instituted a 10 day quarantine period. Only after that can pupils return to the school.
GEORGE: Eaton, the U.K.'s most famous boarding school where the royal princes were educated, is one of those insisting on quarantine. Meanwhile, 30 boarding schools have requested pupils spend 10 days at special academic centers on the Isle of Wight and in Dorcet.
(on camera): Even businesses are taking precautions. Most Citibanks have banned but essential travels to the at risk region. And some, like HSBC, which has perhaps the strongest link to the area, are asking staff returning from the Far East to spend 10 days working from home.
Liz George, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired April 20, 2003 - 07:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: The SARS threat is a growing concern at colleges abroad, where large numbers of students come from Hong Kong, as well as China.
Here's Liz George in London.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LIZ GEORGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Enjoying the sunshine, these few students make the most of the relative quiet at their university during the Easter vacation. In the next few days, terms start. And with it will come the usual influx of students, including those arriving from overseas.
More than 20,000 come from Hong Kong and China, areas where SARS, the respiratory disease, is prevalent.
ADRIAN UNDERWOOD, BOARDING SCHOOLS ASSN.: I have a guy in my presentation group who is originally -- is British, but is from Hong Kong. So he wanted to go home. And he just planned trips. And they start -- the World Health Organization made the announcement.
So he delayed his flight, but he's still going out. So he's going home to visit family in Hong Kong. And then he's coming back. And I have to spend the next week quite intensively with him. So it'll be interesting.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think they should have medical check-ups. And then, everything else if fine then.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If we must to have body check before they come back to London, because I think the disease is terrible, real terrible.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm really scared. And plus, I plan for a trip to go back home next month. So I'm really scared.
GEORGE: Policies vary from college to college, but it's largely up to the students whether they quarantine themselves or get medical check-ups.
For younger students, schools are being more strict. Upwards of 7,000 pupils attending independent boarding schools come from infected areas. Adrian Underwood ways at the very least, head teachers are requiring regular medical check-ups when term time begins. UNDERWOOD: Schools are also taking a precaution of keeping those who have been in these areas in one dormitory or bedroom, rather than sharing with U.K. boarders. And in addition, some schools, and with 550 independent schools, it's their decision, have taught with their own medical offices. And they've instituted a 10 day quarantine period. Only after that can pupils return to the school.
GEORGE: Eaton, the U.K.'s most famous boarding school where the royal princes were educated, is one of those insisting on quarantine. Meanwhile, 30 boarding schools have requested pupils spend 10 days at special academic centers on the Isle of Wight and in Dorcet.
(on camera): Even businesses are taking precautions. Most Citibanks have banned but essential travels to the at risk region. And some, like HSBC, which has perhaps the strongest link to the area, are asking staff returning from the Far East to spend 10 days working from home.
Liz George, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
