Fresno City College shut down over student’s possible coronavirus exposure

Fresno City College on Monday shut down its campus for the rest of the week after a student was on campus who they said had been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

Few details were immediately available, but college officials confirmed the entire campus would be shuttered for the week.

The student, said to be a member of the U.S. military, was on campus in or around the Veterans Resource Center, officials said in a statement.

Just before 1 p.m., college officials advised they were closing the City College campus.

“Please take an abundance of caution, as we are closing the FCC campus today. Coordinate with your supervisors to work remotely from home, with the exception of essential staff. Please leave the campus as soon as possible. Thank You,” the message said.

“The Fresno County Department of Health has not confirmed that this individual has the virus, but is recommending self-isolation. We are closing the campus for the rest of this week pending test results,” officials said in a statement. “We are monitoring the situation and in close communication with county officials.”

In an email Monday, Fresno City College President Carol Goldsmith thanked faculty for stepping up to the challenges of working and teaching remotely.

“I am incredibly proud of our faculty who have been sharing online strategies and tools with each other throughout the weekend,” she said. “Many have been in contact with their deans about how they will be able to work together and remotely serve our students.”

Goldsmith also made a point of noting activities are on hiatus.

“To be clear, all gatherings and events are suspended for the remaining month and we will reevaluate week by week,” she said.

Changes coming to the district:

· The general public will not be allowed on campus.

· Employees who have health concerns should work with their supervisor to set up a possible telecommuting schedule.

· Employees who have not secured alternative safe childcare should work with their supervisor to set up a possible telecommuting schedule.

Allied Health Programs and Nursing have been given clearance to continue, “for the time being,” Goldsmith said Monday.

“It is important to note that we are doing our best to have time to plan this week for migration of remote services, either via small work groups on campus, or via telecommuting, online via canvas, or zoom to train and prepare faculty to migrate…we also recognize that we may be mandated to close,” she said.

This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 2:02 PM with the headline "Fresno City College shut down over student’s possible coronavirus exposure."