UW-Milwaukee Extends Spring Break Over Coronavirus Concern

MILWAUKEE, WI — The University of Milwaukee will extend its spring break by one week after university officials said a university employee fell ill after potentially being exposed to the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

That person is being tested, and is in quarantine. University officials also say they are not going to know the outcome of testing until the end of this week.

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"The employee became ill after having had contact with a person who had been to a country with a Level 3 warning. The results will not be known until the end of the week," university officials said in a statement on March 10. "The individual works in our UWM Foundation office, which is connected to the Cambridge Commons student housing facility on North Avenue on Milwaukee’s eastside. The individual who was tested is not at work. It is important to note that the majority of individuals in Wisconsin who have been tested have tested negative for COVID-19"

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, a Level 3 Warning pertains to Italy, China, South Korea and Iran. Health officials recommend that travelers avoid all non-essential travel to these countries over COVID-19 concers.

UW-Milwaukee is updating its travel guidelines according to the university's coronavirus web page:

All upcoming University-sponsored travel for students is being canceled through the end of the semester. This includes university-sponsored Spring Break trips.

All upcoming University-sponsored travel for employees is being canceled through the end of the semester for areas severely impacted by COVID-19. This currently includes China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, Japan, South Korea and Spain. This list may change as additional areas are impacted by COVID-19.

Anyone returning from these severely-impacted areas must self-quarantine for 14 days, whether or not symptoms are present, before returning to UW-Milwaukee campuses.

University officials also strongly discourage employees and students from any non-essential travel outside of Wisconsin until the end of the semester. If you do opt to travel, please know that there are health risks involved. If you travel outside of Wisconsin, we ask you to self-monitor for 14 days for fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

Students who are already overseas with study abroad programs in countries that do not have Level 3 warnings should consult with UWM study abroad administrators on whether to stay or return.

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