Concerns over the novel coronavirus have led Washington State University to move its in-person classes to the internet.
Classes at all five campuses in Washington State University’s system, including one in Vancouver, will make the switch March 23 when classes were scheduled to return from spring break, the school announced Tuesday.
"This move is being made to allow for increased social distancing in light of the spread of the COVID-19 illness in the state of Washington," President Kirk Schulz wrote in an announcement to faculty.
The transition makes the Vancouver campus the first school in southwest Washington to change curricula in an effort to lessen the spread of the virus. About 3,500 students are enrolled at the Vancouver campus.
Washington State University's five campuses will remain open and employees will continue to report to work, the school said, to continue daily business. At its flagship campus in Pullman, Washington, residences, dining halls and health care facilities will stay open.
Cases of the novel coronavirus have climbed in Washington state and across the United States. There were more than 1,000 cases reported in the U.S. and more than 200 in the state of Washington, as of Wednesday.
Washington’s been hit hardest so far. There have been a reported 24 deaths in the state alone, more than any other state so far.
In southwest Washington, only one case of the novel coronavirus has emerged. The patient, a Clark County man in his 70s, is being treated at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. Local public health officials have not issued any guidance for social distancing.
Vancouver's other college, Clark College, announced "some classes are being moved online." The college offers about 2,100 classes for 9,500 enrolled students, a spokesman said.
