Columbia to Suspend Classes After Individual Exposed to Virus
Columbia to Suspend Classes After Individual Exposed to Virus
(Bloomberg) -- Columbia University will suspend classes on Monday and Tuesday, and hold them remotely for the rest of the week, after a person affiliated with the school was exposed to the coronavirus.
The individual hasn’t been diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus so far, university president Lee C. Bollinger said in an email to students. The email was confirmed by Columbia’s press officer.
“Please understand that the decision to suspend classes does not mean that the University is shutting down,” Bollinger said. “This action is intended to prevent the virus from spreading.”
The school had already planned to be closed the following week for spring break, which would cover the typical 14-day quarantine period for the virus.
New York state reported its first case of coronavirus a week ago. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday that the city has 13 confirmed coronavirus cases, the most recent diagnosed in the Bronx.
To contact the reporter on this story: Linus Chua in Los Angeles at lchua@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Matthew G. Miller at mmiller144@bloomberg.net, Virginia Van Natta
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