POSTED MARCH 11, 2020 - INFORMATION MAY HAVE CHANGED.

Gov. Kristi Noem and state health officials have confirmed five cases of the COVID-19 virus in South Dakota, including the death of an individual over age 60 with underlying health conditions. None of the cases occurred in Brown County.

We want to take this opportunity to renew our call for vigilance in making safe, responsible decisions for your health. Best practices for prevention include:

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze (with a tissue or into your sleeve).
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand gel).
• Avoid handshakes; opt for another greeting, such as bumping elbows.
• More preventative information can be found online at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and S.D. Department of Health.
• As spring break continues, please monitor the CDC website for travelers, which lists at-risk destinations. (Locations may change on a daily basis.)
• Also, the state now offers an additional resource, the South Dakota COVID hotline: 1-800-997-2880.

NSU Senior Cabinet is keeping up to speed on this situation through numerous meetings, including two this week with Avera Health, Aberdeen Fire Department, Brown County Emergency Management and the Department of Health. Separately, Cabinet has also met with the S.D. Board of Regents.

At this time, campus remains open as usual, with classes set to resume on Monday. But rest assured that we will continue to monitor the situation, and we will keep you informed of any changes via email and on our coronavirus resource webpage. Northern’s Continuity of Instruction Plan is posted here. For IT assistance, please contact help@northern.edu.

Thank you again for your attentiveness to this ever-changing situation, and please enjoy the rest of your spring break!

-NSU Senior Cabinet