Update: 5:11 p.m.
UWM has announced that a foundation employee who was tested for COVID-19 does not have coronavirus.
Original story
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is taking steps for student and staff safety in the wake of the spread of coronavirus. Those steps include extending spring break for an extra week.
“An employee was tested yesterday at a local hospital for COVID-19,” said Chancellor Mark Mone. The individual has been tested, but has not had a positive result come yet.
Results are expected at the end of the week.
“We are taking quick and decisive steps as a safeguard,” said Chancellor Mark Mone.
“We will extend our break by one week…to the 29th of March so that UWM can prepare to move the majority of its classes to online.”
“This is a very dynamic, changing situation,” added Mone. “This is real-time monitoring.”
The employee works for a foundation office connected to the Cambridge Commons residence hall.
UWM is also ending all school-sponsored student travel for the rest of the semester, and is also prohibiting university-sponsored travel for any employee to affected countries including China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Spain.
The university says those who travel there independently should self-quarantine for 14 days.