University of Tennessee to keep classes online amid virus
Published 9:07 am Wednesday, March 18, 2020
KNOXVILLE (AP) — The University of Tennessee is keeping classes online-only for the rest of the spring semester at all of its campuses amid the spread of the coronavirus.
University system interim president Randy Boyd also announced Monday that graduation ceremonies also will not be held in May and each campus is looking at alternatives.
Last week, the university initially suspended in-person classes at the Chattanooga campus until March 30. In Knoxville and Martin, in-person instruction were at first suspended until April 3, officials said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.