Macquarie University student tests positive for COVID-19 as classes move online
A Macquarie University student has tested positive for COVID-19 as the university has taken “intensive cleaning” of the campus. It comes as plans to move classes online were revealed.
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- Macquarie University suspends classes, moves online
A Macquarie University student has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The university campus has been “intensively cleaned” overnight after a student was diagnosed with COVID-19, according to a university statement.
Staff and students have been asked to be vigilant for symptoms of COVID-19, which include a fever, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath and not to attend campus if they are feeling unwell.
“The current advice is that the rest of campus can continue to operate as normal after the completion of intensive cleaning operations and in line with communications issued by the Vice-Chancellor today about moving to increase online delivery of educational programs,” according to the statement.
It comes just hours after the university announced it was suspending classes and moving to online learning until March 30.
“All face-to-face and online teaching will pause from midnight tonight as the University transitions to online delivery,” a Macquarie University spokesman said in an earlier statement.
Staff who are able to work remotely have also been encouraged to work from home.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce Dowton said a taskforce to address the “evolving” nature of the coronavirus had been established.
The decision to suspend classes comes after the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney also made transitions to online learning in recent days.
The university said they were closely monitoring the situation and will continue to take advice from NSW Health and the government.