Tag: COVID-19

WVU Suspends Classes, Moves Courses Online Due To Coronavirus Threat

This is a developing story and may be updated.

West Virginia University has announced it will soon suspend in-person classes due to the threat of coronavirus.

In an announcement issued late Tuesday, WVU officials say they are suspending classes during the week of March 23rd through the 27th. Beginning March 30th, class instruction will be delivered online. 

University-related travel — both internationally and domestically — has also been suspended, but officials say the Morgantown campus will remain open.

Students wishing to stay on campus during next week’s spring break and beyond are being asked to register with the university.

In a letter to the university community, WVU president Gordon Gee said the “highest priority” is the safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff and the community.

“An administrative team, along with local and state health officials, has been working diligently to identify ways to keep our campuses safe, as well as sharing precautionary measures individuals could take,” Gee wrote. “Although there are currently no reported cases in West Virginia, the University takes seriously its responsibility to protect our campuses during this uncertain time.”

As of Tuesday, state health officials have reported no cases of the coronavirus. 

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources says five residents have been tested for COVID-19 — three were negative and the other two are pending results. 

W.Va. Gov Urges People To 'Live Our Lives' Amid Virus Concerns

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice urged state residents Wednesday to “live our lives” despite the emerging threat of the new coronavirus.

Justice held a news briefing along with Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill Crouch at the Capitol to discuss steps West Virginia is taking and to give common-sense advice on how people should protect themselves.

There are no known cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 thus far in West Virginia. On Wednesday, Washington state reported a 10th death while California announced its first.

The briefing came after Justice held a private roundtable with administration and medical officials. The purpose of the meeting was to make “absolutely certain that we’re ready, God forbid, if we do have a situation here in West Virginia,” Justice said. “We’re trying to do exactly what our jobs are. And that is, to always never have a surprise.

“There’s a situation worldwide, and we want to be diligent with what we do.”

Crouch said the risk that the virus will arrive in West Virginia is low, especially due to the very small number of international travelers coming to the state. But he predicts most states will see such cases “the way it’s moving.”

Justice said residents should not cancel travel plans.

“That’s not necessary,” he said. “We have to live our lives. We’ve got all the horsepower that’s on top of this to the very best of all of our abilities. We don’t know if a meteorite’s not going to hit us tomorrow. We’ve got to live our lives.”

Earlier Wednesday, West Virginia University issued an advisory to its campus community ahead of spring break, which is scheduled from March 14 to March 22. Dean of Students Corey Farris said in a statement that many students, faculty and staff will be traveling to a variety of locations, including where there are large crowds.

The university earlier this week canceled all scheduled university-sponsored trips abroad, affecting 217 students. The College of Creative Arts previously called off a student symphony’s planned trip to China.

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