The CDC recommends taking simple, everyday steps to avoid catching or spreading respiratory diseases, including the coronavirus, COVID-19. These include covering your cough or sneeze, disinfecting commonly used surfaces, and thoroughly washing or sanitizing your hands. Call your doctor if you feel sick, and stay home if you are sick. Get more information at CDC.gov/coronavirus.

Amid ongoing global concerns surrounding the coronavirus, Belmont University in Nashville has extended its spring break, the school announced Tuesday.

Spring break has been extended until March 22. Beginning March 23, classes will resume online only for at least two weeks, the university said, with plans to resume in-person classes April 6.

The university's president Bob Fisher said there were no confirmed cases on Belmont's campus, but because 75% of the student body consists of out-of-state students who will likely be traveling home during spring break, the university wants to limit potential exposure.

"Given the potential for exposure and CDC recommendations for social distancing, we believed it was necessary to make these decisions for the safety of our community and to do our part to mitigate the growing impact of COVID-19," Fisher said.

Belmont students will receive information from their instructors on how course work will be conducted, and the university is working with students who are unable to travel home.

All university-sponsored travel, both international and domestic, scheduled for March 16-April will be canceled unless approved by administration, the university said.

The university still plans to hold its commencement ceremony scheduled for May 2.

Vanderbilt University announced Monday it was canceling classes for the rest of the week and is considering moving classes online for the rest of the semester in response to rising concerns about the spread of coronavirus.

Belmont athletics to continue as planned

The university athletics department announced Tuesday evening in a tweet that all athletic events, including practices and games, are continuing as planned.

However, the public celebration for men's basketball scheduled for Sunday has been canceled.

The statement encouraged athletes, coaches and staff to use their athletic department Teamworks app to stay updated on developments.

Reach Brinley Hineman at bhineman@gannett.com, at 615-278-5164 and on Twitter @brinleyhineman.