Ohio State University suspends in-person classes as coronavirus concerns mount

Ohio State University has suspended in-person classes through the end of the month and halting all university-sponsored international travel through at least April 20th amid concerns over the coronavirus.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the university announced its decision to suspend classes after state officials confirmed Ohio had its first confirmed cases of COVID-19. The confirmed cases involve three individuals from Cuyahoga County, which includes Cleveland.

“We are being proactive in an effort to prevent illness and continue the important work of the university,” Ohio State President Michael V. Drake said in an email to the campus community. “I understand that our policy guidelines will cause measurable disruption, but the risk of not acting outweighs the inconvenience of these temporary measures. The safety of our campus community is always our top priority.”

Face-to-face lectures, discussion sections, seminars and other classroom setting instruction will be suspended through at least Monday, March 30, the university said. Officials are also preparing plans for telecommuting for faculty and staff.

Additionally, no new, non-essential events will be scheduled on campus through April 20, Drake’s email said.

Ohio State is currently on spring break. While completing classes virtually, students may choose to return to their permanent place of residence or return to campus, where “appropriate social distancing and enhanced preventative public health and hygiene measures will be actively encouraged,” Drake’s email said.

No cases of the virus associated with Ohio State's Columbus campus have been reported, Drake says. 

At most Ohio campuses, classes continued as scheduled Tuesday,