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EAST LANSING – Michigan State University suspended face-to-face instruction effective noon Wednesday after learning county health officials were monitoring a student for potential novel coronavirus.

The announcement follows Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's declaration of a state of emergency late Tuesday night after two people from Wayne and Oakland counties tested positive for the disease.

"Early this morning we learned of an individual linked to our campus which the Ingham County Health Department is currently investigating and monitoring," university President Samuel Stanley said. "Due to this, we are now taking additional steps to keep our community safe."

The person is a student who had contact with a Wayne County man who tested positive, the health department said. The student has been tested for the disease. Those results are still pending.

Coursework at MSU will continue through virtual instruction until April 20, Stanley said in an alert to campus.

Administrators will "re-evaluate this decision on an ongoing basis" and share additional updates as needed, he said.

"We are continuing to work with faculty and staff on laboratory and performance classes, and the university will provide additional guidance in the coming week," Stanley said. "This will be an evolving process and I ask for everyone's patience."

Campus will remain open, the announcement said, but the university is evaluating some major events that are already scheduled and "will not be scheduling new events with more than 100 individuals in a confined space during for this time period unless there are special circumstances."

Stanley encouraged students who can to return home because of the advantages of "social distancing."

"But for those not able to go home, we will continue to fully support students in our residence halls and dining facilities," Stanley said.

All buildings are open for now, university spokeswoman Emily Guerrant clarified, but "this is a very fluid situation."

The focus now is on transitioning to virtual learning, Stanley said, adding there will be "more communications in the coming days regarding university employees, remote and telecommuting options" as administrators try to keep people healthy and safe while also continuing key work at MSU.

MSU students react to cancellation

"My aunt called me last night and told me (coronavirus) had reached Oakland County. I’m worried that person could spread it," said Kaila McClain, a 21-year-old psychology student at MSU who was waiting at a bus stop near Division Street and Grand River Avenue.

She was among several students leaving campus just before noon.

McClain lives on campus in Brody Hall and said she wants to be reimbursed for room and board and for classes.

"I’m paying for classes I can’t go to," she said, "and online classes are cheaper than in-person classes."

Jennifer Timotin, who plays on MSU's women's tennis team, was concerned her entire tennis season would be cancelled. Her coach doesn't know what will happen just yet, she said.

"We were supposed to go to Ohio State tomorrow to play on Friday," Timotin said. "But I was expecting this because I heard Ohio State was also suspending in-person classes."

Working in MSU's study abroad office, Tariq Muhamed said he and his co-workers have fielded many calls from concerned parents and students wondering if they should apply. MSU has suspended all spring and summer study abroad programs in mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea, as well as spring semester programs in Italy.

Muhamed, who is majoring in Japanese, was also worried about how his classes would be affected.

"It’s better to do languages face to face," he said. "We’re not sure how it will affect our learning. We only use the language in class. The best you can do is call friends."

Other colleges, universities also preparing

The University of Michigan had not made an announcement about how it will proceed by press time.

However, Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, which is based in Lansing, is asking weekend students to begin taking classes online, according to President James McGrath.

"We have put together a task force to research responses and take action to protect our students, staff and faculty," McGrath added in an email. "We are preparing for the remainder of our students to take classes online as the situation is likely to worsen."

Central Michigan University also is moving classes online after spring break through March 20 "out of an abundance of caution," President Bob Davies announced.

"All face-to-face classes at our main campus in Mount Pleasant — and at all of CMU’s satellite campuses throughout the U.S. with the exception of those on military bases — will move to an online format," an alert said.

Lansing Community College and Davenport University are evaluating the situation and will make an announcement Wednesday.

This story will be updated.