Coronavirus: University Of Minnesota Suspends In-Person Classes

MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Minnesota announced Wednesday that it is canceling all in-person classes across its five campuses as a precautionary measure to avoid the spread of the new coronavirus.

Spring break will be extended on the Duluth, Rochester and Twin Cities campuses through March 18.

Students on the Morris and Crookston campuses — which have a spring break scheduled for next week — will have in-person classes until Friday.

Students will resume classes online on March 18 and be taught virtually until at least April 1. The suspension may be extended further as necessary.

No students are known to have the coronavirus, also called the COVID-19 virus.

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"Students are encouraged to stay home and continue classes online," University of Minnesota-Twin Cities President Joan Gabel said in a letter to students, faculty, and staff.

"However, we recognize that for some students the safest, most secure place will be on one of our five campuses. At this time, residence halls, dining services and other student services will continue. Should on-campus student services be reduced as a result of these changes, we will let you know."

Nonessential international and domestic university travel by faculty, staff and students for school purposes has been banned.

Two new cases confirmed and announced Wednesday

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Health confirmed the state's fourth and fifth cases of COVID-19. Both people caught the disease while traveling abroad.

The fourth case — a person in their 50s — is in Olmsted County. The fifth case — a person in their 30s — is in Ramsey County. Ramsey County now has two of the state's five COVID-19 cases.

Health officials stressed the importance of all Minnesotans continuing to do those things that can limit the spread of the coronavirus:

• Stay home and away from others if you are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.
• Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your face throughout the day.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread primarily by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza is spread. It can also spread when people touch surfaces that have been contaminated by an infected person and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth, according to a news release.

More information about coronavirus can be found on MDH's Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) website.

MDH has set up a COVID-19 public hotline that is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hotline number is 651-201-3920.