Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness

The UW System Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and individual campus teams are actively monitoring and responding to developing events related to the spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19.

The coronavirus is a virus strain that began spreading in people in December 2019. Health professionals are still learning about this new virus, which can cause illness ranging from mild to severe in vulnerable populations.

In a public health emergency, public health organizations lead the response. The UW System EOC and campus teams are following guidance from the U.S. Department of State, Centers for Disease Control, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and local public health departments. UW health directors are working with these local health department officials, and that work will intensify as the virus spreads.

The EOC includes a team of health, risk, international security, emergency management, legal counsel and communication experts. The EOC primarily focused on international issues when it started its work in January to respond to the virus in China. As the virus spread and also impacts the United States, the EOC has shifted its focus to local impacts.

The UW System EOC has formed a Plan Ahead Team to review best practices and identify criteria for a return to in-person instruction for fall 2020.  It has also established two sub-teams to address questions and policy issues. One sub-team is dedicated to human resources and the other to finance/travel reimbursement.

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and communities remains our top priority. We will continue to update this website as information becomes available and provide direct communications from UW System Administration and local campuses to keep you informed of any new developments.