NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Vanderbilt University students who live on campus have to move out by Sunday because of COVID-19, also known as the new coronavirus. Classes are canceled for the rest of the week. Then they will move to online learning for the rest of the semester.
Right now, they say the campus is safe, but they want to take extra precautions. That's why they're cleaning buildings on campus.
On Wednesday, a Vanderbilt University Medical Center health care worker tested positive for COVID-19. Now, University officials are asking all undergraduate students living on campus to start making plans to move out by Sunday. Staff will work with housing needs and dining fees.
Thursday morning, Tennessee State University announced they will transition to online classes beginning Monday, March 16th, due to health and safety concerns. All face-to-face instruction was immediately canceled.
Thy school also suspended all international travel through the end of April, and say they'll continue to monitor domestic travel.
The TSU campus, however, will remain open. The University says they're looking at the possibility of canceling campus events where large crowds are expected.
Austin Peay says while they're not aware of any members of the campus community who have the new coronavirus, they will suspend classes until March 23rd and move all classes online. Additionally, all non-athletic University-sponsored events are canceled until further notice.
Students living on Austin Peay's campus who can travel to their home or permanent residence are encouraged to do so. However, if leaving campus is not an option, we are prepared to continue supporting residential students, including access to limited dining options.
More schools across the mid-state are taking extra safety measures to keep students safe from COVID-19.
Here's a look at plans for schools and Universities:
- Metro schools closed Thursday and Friday.
- Nashville Catholic schools will close March 13 before spring break, students told to bring necessary school items with them. Special website set up.
- Vanderbilt classes moved online for the remainder of the semester, students must move out by march 15, Special website set up.
- MTSU: Spring Break extended 1 week through Sunday March 22
- Watkins still in session but are monitoring the situation with updates on a special website
- Spring break for Western Kentucky students extended through March 23rd. Once students return, they will transition to an "alternative delivery format" through April 5th.
- University of Tennessee (Knoxville) to move classes online until at least through April 3
- Classes suspended at Lipscomb Friday, March 13
- Williamson County Schools closed the rest of the week.
- Trevecca extends Spring Break thru March 17, all classes online only until March 30
- Cumberland University limiting large group events
- Battle Ground Academy closed through March 20th (Spring Break is next week).
- Dickson County Schools closed rest of week: family member of some students is self-isolating and being tested.
- Belmont: extending spring break to March 22; public Selection Sunday party this weekend is canceled.
- Lipscomb's spring break is the week of March 16. Task force in place, monitoring situation daily.
- TN Tech cancels all campus-related international travel, establishes coronavirus task force. The university also extended spring break until March 27 and will move to online classes on March 30
- Nashville State Community College has canceled classes March 16 through March 21. On March 23, the college will resume classes in an online or alternative format.
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See all our coronavirus coverage here
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
