CHULA VISTA (KGTV) -- With cases of coronavirus continuing to spike in the United States, Southwestern College announced Tuesday that the campus will be conducting courses online for about a week as a precautionary measure.
Students and campus staff are moving all in-person classes to online or distributed instruction from March 16 through the 20.
The decision joins numerous other institutions throughout the countryto help suppress the spread of the virus.
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"This is a rapidly changing situation and we appreciate everyone’s patience as college leadership works to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for our students, employees and community," said SWC President Kindred Murillo said.
They are also canceling "large public events at all our campuses." The college has satellite campuses in Chula Vista, National City, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, and Coronado.
"Athletic events will continue as scheduled without spectators," Murillo said.
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The college will be off for spring break March 23-27. The campus will reopen for regular "face-to-face" instruction on March 30.
The campus serves about 19,000 students across its network and offers public programs such as swimming classes, a fitness club, a child development center, and art gallery.
"We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in San Diego and readjust our prevention efforts as needed," Murillo said.
In the last several days, dozens of major universities, including UCSD and Stanford University, have decided to cancel in-person classes as coronavirus fears spread nationwide.
This is due to health officials recommending that the public avoid close social contact as they try to get a handle on the virus spreading nationally.
On Monday, San Diego health officials confirmed that a female resident in her 50s tested positive for the virus after traveling overseas. No other information was given.
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