Princeton University will move all lectures, seminars, and precepts online on March 23 and is encouraging students to stay home after spring break.
New Jersey reported its first case last week and now has six patients who have tested positive, while nearby New York state has more than 100 patients with the illness.
Eisgruber referenced the community spread of the virus in New York and other locales as supporting the need for so-called social distancing measures.
“Our goal is to decrease the number of instances that require community members to gather in large groups or spend extended periods of time in close proximity with each other,” he wrote.
All lectures, seminars, and precepts that can be moved online will be, in a mandatory, temporary move on March 23. The measures will be in place through April 5. Officials are also encouraging students to consider staying home after spring break.
“We understand that these and other measures will cause significant disruption and inconvenience to the campus community, but we strongly believe that actions taken now will have the greatest chance of decreasing risk, and that the potential consequences of not acting could far outweigh these short-term disruptions,” Eisgruber wrote.
Numerous school districts have canceled classes due to the new virus, including districts in Washington state, California, and New York. Closing schools is one aspect of non-pharmaceutical interventions to try to slow the spread of the virus. Other aspects include personal actions such as washing hands and staying home while sick, community measures such as canceling large events, and environmental interventions such as cleaning surfaces at places like subway stations.
The new virus has spread to more than 100 countries, infecting more than 100,000 people and killing thousands. There is no vaccine or proven treatment at this time.
Experts recommend frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating; staying away from sick people; and not touching one’s face, eyes, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Sick people should stay home and contact their doctor or health authorities.