ISU monitoring developments surrounding COVID-19, threat to campus considered low

Posted on March 10, 2020
Dietz
While the overall threat to Illinois State University from the coronavirus is considered low, the university is taking steps to ensure the safety of the campus community, according to ISU President Larry Dietz. (YouTube/Illinois State University)

 

By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – The number of coronavirus cases in Illinois has hit double digits and Illinois State University has been meeting for weeks to prepare for the worst.

Even though the overall threat to campus from the coronavirus is considered low, the university is taking steps to ensure the safety of the campus community, according to ISU President Larry Dietz.

Dietz told WJBC’s Scott Miller the school’s incident management team has been getting together each morning to talk about COVID-19.

“We’re reviewing all of our academic programs, student services, health and safety in light of the coronavirus,” said Dietz.  “We are keeping up to speed and getting our information from the CDC, World Health Organization, U.S. Department of State, Illinois Department of Public Health and McLean County Health Department.”

As for closing ISU, Dietz said with no reported cases on campus there is no need to shut down.  Currently, no campus events have been canceled due to coronavirus.

Dietz said ISU plans to start a campus wide campaign to promote healthy habits, like washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

The school has a website with daily COVID-19 updates – illinoisstate.edu/coronavirus

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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