Delaware reports first case of coronavirus

A University of Delaware professor has tested positive for coronavirus, prompting school on Wednesday to cancel classes, move up spring break and anunce that all instruction will take place online when semester resumes.

unidentified professor, who is over of 50, was exposed to a confirmed coronavirus case in ar state and self-isolated at home as soon as symptoms appeared, officials said. Public health director Dr. Karyl Rattay said man is t severely ill and is doing well.

Epidemiologists from Division of Public Health are working to identify any close contacts of individuals who were possibly exposed, officials said.

With university president Dennis Assanis looking on, Gov. John Carney said at a news conference that state officials have been preparing for virus for weeks, and that y are rey to respond.

"We're taking this extremely seriously ... but we are t panicking, and neir should you," Carney said.

For most people, virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough. For some, especially elderly and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. People with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

Neverless, concern about virus spreing in U.S. has prompted a growing number of bans on large public garings, and several universities around country are moving classes online.

Officials at University of Delaware, which has more than 18,000 undergruates at its Newark campus, said classes would be conducted online for rest of semester, or until furr tice. y also suspended classes Thursday and Friday and said spring break would be moved up to Saturday.

Classes are scheduled to resume in an online format on March 23. Officials said students who choose to leave campus for break should take any personal and acemic materials y might need to complete semester online.

University officials alrey h canceled this year's UDance, a popular dance marathon that raises money for childhood cancer research and was to have been held March 22. university also has suspended all programming for its Osher Lifelong Learning Institute until furr tice. institute serves those 50 and older, a population that includes those most vulnerable to serious complications from virus.

University-sponsored travel to all international locations has been banned through end of spring semester. school also is discouraging personal international travel, including during spring break.

Carney canceled a town hall meeting that h been scheduled for Wednesday evening at Newark Senior Center and opted inste for an online "virtual town hall" with state Health and Social Services Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker. Carney's office said decision was me "out of an abundance of caution."

At State Capitol, lawmakers have t ruled out postponing legislative session if circumstances merit. Members of General Assembly have been on break for several weeks during budget committee hearings but are scheduled to resume session on Tuesday.