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Dalton State Suspends Classes Due to Coronavirus Threat

03/12/20

Both campuses of Dalton State College will temporarily suspend on-campus instruction for two weeks beginning Monday, March 16 following the University System of Georgia’s decision to do so across all 26 institutions due to the threat of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

There have been no presumed or confirmed cases of Coronavirus at Dalton State.

Students have been on spring break this week and are being asked not to return to campus at this time. More information will be released as it is available.

“Dalton State is closing following a decision made by University System of Georgia (USG) officials after they received new guidance from Gov. Brian Kemp’s Coronavirus Task Force and the Department of Public Health this afternoon,” said Dr. Margaret Venable, president of Dalton State. “The safety of our Roadrunner community continues to be our highest priority. We have been monitoring the situation closely in conjunction with our system office, the CDC and the Department of Public Health. We are working diligently to make any necessary arrangements for students on campus, and we will communicate that as soon as the information is available. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”

In a letter that went out from the USG to presidents Thursday afternoon, officials state, “All University System of Georgia institutions will temporarily suspend instruction for two weeks to allow time for USG institutions to test their business continuity plans and online instruction modules and for state officials to continue to assess the current situation regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) in Georgia.”

Students are asked to remain away from campus until March 29, according to the letter. Accommodations, which will be communicated as soon as possible, will be made for any student who cannot leave campus.

Continue to follow appropriate preventative strategies, as recommended by the CDC: wash hands regularly; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; cover coughs and sneezes with tissues; avoid close contact with people who are sick; and stay home when experiencing symptoms of illness.