Kent State University, The Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University, The University of Akron, Otterbein University, Ohio University, the University of Toledo and more are suspending all in-person classes due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns following the three confirmed cases in Northeast Ohio Monday afternoon.
The universities decided to suspend in-person classes after recommendations from health authorities suggested limiting large gathering and practicing social distancing.
At Kent State University, in-person classes have ceased effectively immediately with all classes beginning remote instruction between March 16 and March 20. Kent State University plans to resume in-person classes following spring break, on April 13. The changes to classes also affect Kent State’s College of Podiatric Medicine, although clinical rotations will continue, the university said.
The University of Akron has ceased in-person classes effective at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Classes have been canceled for the remainder of the week while staff and faultily plan to adjust to online instruction when the university returns from spring break on March 30. All large events have been canceled on campus from now until April 20.
Akron Public Schools STEM High School and Akron Early College High School, both located on the University of Akron's campus, will be closed Wednesday, March 11 and will resume online classes on Thursday, March 12. Students will return to school campus on March 30, following spring break.
John Carroll University will begin the suspension of all in-person classes on Wednesday, March 11 through April 13. To allow staff and faculty to adjust to online learning, all classes for the remainder of the week have been canceled with online courses resuming on March 16.
The University of Toledo canceled on-campus classes through March 30 and all events with expected attendance of 100 or more through April 30. In-person classes have been canceled March 16-17 with all courses resuming remotely on March 18.
Ohio University has suspended all in-person instruction on all campuses and locations effective immediately through at least Monday, March 20. Classes will immediately switch to online instruction.
Otterbein University has canceled in-person classes through the remainder of the week, including classes at the Knowlton Equine Center. Remote classes will resume on Monday, March 16. Clinical rotations, internships and other experimental learning off campus will continue regularly. Some indoor events at the university will continue without spectators. Most of the planned public gatherings and events have been canceled through March 27.
Case Western Reserve University has suspended all in-person classes and will deliver courses remotely beginning March 18. Classes have been canceled for the remainder of the week.
The Ohio State University announced it would be suspending in-person classes through the month of March.
Wright State University has suspended all in-person classes and will deliver classes remotely.
Bowling Green State University is moving all face-to-face classes online until April 6.
The Cleveland Institute of Art will suspend in-class instruction until at least Monday, April 6. CIA residence halls will remain open, but CIA students who are currently at home for spring break and can stay there, are encouraged to do so.
Lorain County Community College is postponing all in-person classes through Saturday.
Youngstown State University is extending their spring break until March 22.
University of Cincinnati is suspending face-to-face classes and will move to remote instruction until April 13.
The University of Dayton is suspending face-to-face classes and will move to remote instruction until April 6.
Baldwin Wallace University is extending spring break until March 20 and will move to remote instruction until April 10.
Ashland University is suspending face-to-face classes and will move to remote instruction until March 30.
Malone University is suspending face-to-face classes and moving to online classes starting on March 16 until April 13.
Cleveland State University is extending spring break by a week and moving to remote classes from March 23 until April 13.
University of Northwestern Ohio is suspending face-to-face classes.
Cuyahoga County Community College is postponing face-to-face classes until March 23 and will be moving to remote classes. Fitness centers and pools are closed until April 1.
Lake Erie College is postponing in-person classes until April 12.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Below you can find information and resources on novel coronavirus, COVID-19, from local, state, national and international organizations, including the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the Ohio Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.
News 5 will continue to update this section with new information, resources, links, and more as it is made available.
COVID-19/2019 Novel Coronavirus Overview from the CDC:
“2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV/COVID-19) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).”
“When person-to-person spread has occurred with MERS and SARS, it is thought to have happened mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Spread of MERS and SARS between people has generally occurred between close contacts.”
Global case numbers are reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation reportexternal icon.
Coronavirus in Ohio:
As of Monday, March 9, there were three confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ohio, all in Cuyahoga County, outside of Cleveland.
According to the governor, two of the cases are from a married couple that went on a cruise on the Nile River.
The other case is from a person that went to the AIPAC conference in Washington D.C. According to a cantor from the Jewish Temple in Beachwood, 160 people from Cleveland attended the conference.
The three patients are between 54 and 56-years-old, according to officials. None of the positive cases have been hospitalized at this time.
READ MORE: Ohio's 3 coronavirus cases are in Cuyahoga County; Gov. DeWine declares state of emergency
See the Coronavirus information page on the Ohio Department of Health's website for the latest numbers of confirmed cases and persons under investigation.
From News 5 and affiliated news outlets:
News 5's Coronavirus continuing coverage page
How to prepare your family and pets for COVID-19
EPA releases list of approved disinfectants to use against COVID-19
How to protect yourself from coronavirus when flying
Symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus are fever and lower respiratory tract issues, such as cough and shortness of breath, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
Travel
Anyone traveling internationally should review plans in advance of their trip, and check the CDC’s COVID-19 Travel Information Page for daily updates and travel alerts.
Click here for the CDC COVID-19 Travel Information Page
Practice Good Hygiene
The CCBH recommends the following good hygiene practices to prevent coronavirus, as well as the flu, colds and other illnesses:
Sneeze or cough into the bend of your elbow to keep germs from spreadingRegularly wash your hands with soap and water/use alcohol-based hand sanitizer in betweenDon’t share cups, spoons, forks, etc. with anyoneDon’t make food for anyone if you are sickDon’t go to work or school if you are sickVisit a doctor, urgent care or emergency department if you are sick – don’t take chances
Please contact your medical provider with any questions.
Guidance for those with compromised immune systems
Click here for specific guidance from the CCBH for anyone at higher risk for becoming ill.
Additional Resources
Cuyahoga County: See the CCBH page on coronavirus here.
Ohio Department of Health:
Click here for the Ohio Department of Health’s Coronavirus information page.
It is updated daily at 2 p.m. with the current number of confirmed cases, persons under investigation and persons under investigation who tested negative for the disease.
More resources from ODH:
Fact sheet
Prevention infographic
Resources and information
Ohio Secretary of State:
Corona Facts: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has launched a web page dedicated to providing facts about coronavirus' impacts on voting and the Primary Election in Ohio.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CCBH has created this list of coronavirus-related resources from the CDC:
Homepage for COVID-19 materials and information
Fact sheet – Chinese
Fact sheet – English
Fact sheet – Spanish
Guidance for businesses
Guidance for colleges and universities
Guidance for communities and mass gatherings
Guidance for healthcare facilities
Guidance for healthcare professionals
Guidance for people with elevated risk for illness
Guidance for pregnant women
Guidance for risk assessment
Guidance for schools
Guidance for travelers
What you can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 – Chinese
What you can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 – English
What you can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 – Spanish
If you are sick with COVID-19 – English
If you are sick with COVID-19 – Spanish
If you are sick with COVID-19 – Spanish
Preventing spread of COVID-19 at election/polling/voting locations
Prevention and treatment
Symptoms – overview
Symptoms – overview
World Health Organization
World Health Organization
Coronavirus information
Mythbusters – the truth about food, packages, pets and other things related to COVID-19
Mythbusters – the truth about food, packages, pets and other things related to COVID-19
Video – What is COVID-19?
Video – What is my risk of getting COVID-19?
Video – How can I protect myself from COVID-19?
Video – How can I protect myself from COVID-19?
