SIUE classes suspended because of coronavirus concerns
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Keep up with all the coronavirus news in southwestern Illinois
Stay updated with the events in southwestern Illinois that have been canceled or postponed because of coronavirus concerns.
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is extending spring break for on-campus students by one week through Sunday, March 22 because of the coronavirus.
Other colleges in the St. Louis region have taken similar actions, though there have been no confirmed cases on campus.
“Until March 23, all in-person instruction and on-campus learning is suspended,” the university said in a news release issued late Wednesday.
“Given the concern for spread of the virus through contact and the need for greater social distance, we have been developing plans for continued operations and instruction,” Chancellor Randy Pembrook said in the news release. “Ensuring the safety and well-being of students, staff and faculty is paramount. We will use this period to monitor the situation and plan for additional contingencies.”
Also, all university-sponsored events with 50 or more attendees are suspended effective March 16-April 10 and all intercollegiate athletics competitions are expected to continue without fans in attendance.
About coronavirus
As of Thursday, no cases of coronovirus have been confirmed in southern Illinois or the metro-east. The nearest confirmed case is Ladue, Missouri.
For most, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for some parts of the population, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illnesses. More than 121,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 4,300 have died.
According to WHO, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
The Centers for Disease Control recommend several actions that can be taken to prevent the spread. They include washing hands frequently with soap and water, covering your nose and mouth when coughing, avoiding people who are sick, avoiding large gatherings, and staying home from work if you don’t feel well.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 11:29 AM.
