St. Joseph's Cancels Classes Following Coronavirus Outbreak

PATCHOGUE, NY — Following the news of the coronavirus outbreak, St. Joseph's College in Patchogue announced on Tuesday that all classes have been canceled. According to a message on the college's website, all in-person classes as well as on-campus academic activities, have been suspended for the rest of the week starting at 12:30 p.m.

The college, located on 155 W. Roe Boulevard, made the decision "out of an abundance of caution." In addition to the local Long Island campus, the school canceled class at its Brooklyn campus. Spring break has already been scheduled for the week of March 16.

St. Joseph's isn't the only school to cancel classes due to the coronavirus this week. Hofstra University canceled all in-person classes this week after a student reported flu-like symptoms. The student attended a conference where another person tested positive for coronavirus. The Shoreham-Wading River School District canceled all classes Monday after a teacher's spouse may have been exposed to the virus. The Oyster Bay, Locust Valley and Glen Cove school districts all closed Tuesday after bus drivers tested positive for the virus.

While there have not been any confirmed cases of coronavirus in Patchogue, the first case was reported in Suffolk this past weekend. The first Suffolk County patient was a man in his 40s, officials said. He is being treated at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.

This is a breakdown of coronavirus cases across New York:

• Westchester: 108
• New York City: 36
• Nassau: 19
• Suffolk: 1
• Rockland: 6
• Ulster: 1
• Saratoga: 2