STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- St. John’s University has suspended “face-to-face instruction” at all of its campuses -- including the Grymes Hill location -- until March 27 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a public alert message on the school’s website.

While Conrado Gempesaw, the university president, said there are "no known cases of COVID-19 at this time on any of the St. John’s University campuses or locations,” the school decided to close all campuses as a precautionary measure.

“The University will provide future updates of how academic instruction will be delivered and communicate any changes as early as circumstances permit to ensure that students receive the instruction needed to complete coursework,” said Gempesaw.

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Earlier Monday, St. John’s announced it would pilot virtual learning for all classes on Thursday and Friday. After the trial, the university initially expected in-person classes to resume on Monday, March 16.

“There will not be classes of any kind held on Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11. As previously communicated, the University will move to online instruction effective Thursday, March 12. Online instruction will continue through Friday, March 27,” said Gempesaw in the letter posted to St. John’s website.

The letter says students who are participating at practicum sites, student teaching, or clinical rotations should continue until further guidance is given by the dean’s office.

“All residential students are required to return home by Wednesday, March 11, at the latest. Students are advised to take what they need from their rooms before leaving campus, e.g., all textbooks, notes, course materials, etc., so that they can continue their coursework online,” said Gempesaw.

St. John’s also cancelled all university events through March 27.

The university has set up a COVID-19 page to post communications about St. John’s preventive measures.

The news comes just minutes after the first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) was confirmed in the borough, according to an internal Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) memo obtained by the Advance/SiLive.com.

Earlier in the day, officials said New York became the state most affected by the virus with 143 cases. The most recent case means at least one patient is confirmed to have the virus in each borough.

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