Coronavirus: NJIT In Newark Moves Classes Online, Limits Visits

NEWARK, NJ — Administrators at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark are making some changes as concerns over the new coronavirus dubbed COVID-19 spread in the state.

NJIT recently issued an advisory to its students and community members, updating them about precautions being taken at the school. Read the university’s full statement.

“There have been no reported cases within the NJIT community and the risk of transmission on our campus currently is low,” administrators said. “Classes and scheduled exams will continue this week, unless students are directly notified otherwise, and our campus remains open.”

However, this hasn’t stopped the university from taking precautions to safeguard the campus. Some highlights include:

• “Classes will take place virtually once we return from the Spring recess on March 23 and will continue in that manner until further notice.”
• “We are encouraging resident students who are able to leave NJIT campus housing after this week to do so and remain away until the university resumes regular operations.”
• “Visits to campus by non-NJIT community members are being permitted only for what are deemed essential purposes (health, safety, and welfare related). Any exception must be approved at the vice president level.”
• “Non-essential university sponsored travel to or participation at conferences, meetings, or other events where large groups are present is suspended. Approval for travel is required at the vice president level.”
• “Teleconferencing should be implemented in place of in-person meetings in all possible circumstances, including for small-group internal meetings.”
• “All fitness centers and the pool will be closed immediately.”
• “All upcoming group events/gatherings on campus or sponsored by NJIT are canceled or postponed.”
• “No spectators will be permitted at on-campus NJIT athletic events.”
• “The members of NJIT's senior leadership team have developed continuity of operations plans for their particular divisions. These plans may allow for staff to work remotely when and where possible. However, employees who must come to campus to perform their work functions, in whole or in part, will continue to do so in accordance with the plans developed by the senior staff member to whom they or their unit reports.”

The first death in New Jersey related to COVID-19 was reported Tuesday. There have been more than 1,000 confirmed U.S. cases of the new coronavirus as of Wednesday morning according to Johns Hopkins University, which said the disease also has killed 29 people nationwide.

State health officials have maintained that most New Jersey residents are at "very low risk" of contracting COVID-19.

• See related article: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know
• See related article: Feel Sick? Don't Come To NJ Devils Games For Now, Team Says

WHAT IS COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 it and no antiviral treatment.

According to the CDC, the best way of preventing the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

To avoid spreading any respiratory illness, the CDC recommends staying at home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of face masks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Residents who have questions about the virus can contact the State of New Jersey's hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222. The hotline is home of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, and is staffed 24 hours a day by state health workers.

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