USC sets date for deciding when to reopen campus. Its coronavirus cases rise to 53
The University of South Carolina will decide how to conduct fall classes before June 15, President Robert Caslen said Wednesday.
That will include whether fall classes will need to be held, at least in part, online, and when there will be “acceptable risk” to bring students back to campus, Caslen said.
That decision is based not only on the health of the students, but also the fear of accidentally spreading coronavirus throughout Columbia, Caslen said.
“The fact that we are an urban campus and the fact that almost half the students live out of state is working against us,” Caslen said.
When USC canceled classes, the available data predicted there could be up to a one-third infection rate, which would mean 10,000 cases on campus, Caslen said.
Athletics, particularly football, will be decided separately, and will likely depend on the Southeastern Conference, Caslen said.
Caslen’s remarks were delivered Wednesday during a board of trustees committee meeting that was conducted by phone to practice social distancing.
The purpose of the meeting was to update the board with the latest plans and information. One of those updates included the number of USC-affiliated people with coronavirus. USC has 53 cases of coronavirus, according to the meeting materials. Of those, five are on campus, nine are in Columbia and three are in West Columbia.
Of the five on campus, four have recovered and one is still in isolation, USC President Caslen said during the meeting.
Nearly all students were required to leave campus because of coronavirus. However, students with extreme circumstances could apply to stay on campus. As of Wednesday, less than 100 people are living on campus, according to the materials.
The financial impact to USC, originally estimated at $20-$40 million, has already resulted in some tangible changes. In the short-term, USC has implemented a partial hiring freeze until June 15. In the long-term the university is delaying the $240 million campus dormitory complex called Campus Village and is delaying $88 million in capital and maintenance projects.
“That’s $328 million we can defer, right up front, if we get to that point,” Caslen said.
At the moment, Caslen said USC’s “cash position is strong.”
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 2:56 PM.