MADISON, Wis. (AP) — University of Wisconsin-Madison officials announced Wednesday that they will suspend face-to-face instruction following spring break and that students shouldn't return to the campus because of fears of spreading the coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19.

A host of universities around the country have already taken similar measures, including Ohio State. At least five other UW System schools have announced extended spring breaks and the suspension of face-to-face instruction, including UW-Milwaukee.

For most people, COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.

Still, the World Health Organization delcared COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on Wednesday. Wisconsin has had three confirmed infections including two in Dane County.

UW-Madison's spring break begins March 14 and runs through March 22. Face-to-face instruction will end on March 23, the date classes are scheduled to resume. The suspension will last until at least April 10, when university officials will reassess the situation. Students will be able to complete coursework remotely until face-to-face instruction resumes.

The statement said officials are especially worried about the safety of students who share bathrooms and eating facilities in campus dorms. They said students should not return to the dorms following break and should take essential belongings with them when they leave. The dorms will remain available for students who can't return to their permanent residences but they should expect a reduced level of service, officials said.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank said during a news conference that the university is working on potential financial reimbursement to offset displaced students' housing payments.

All campus events of more than 50 people and all university-sponsored travel has been canceled through at least April 10, officials said. Blank said that the men's basketball team is already in Indianapolis for this week's Big 10 tournament, but the school will look for guidance from the conference and the NCAA on how to handle sports travel this spring. NCAA President Mark Emmert said Wednesday that attendance at all Division 1 basketball tournament games will be limited to team members' families and essential personnel.

The campus will remain open and all faculty and staff will continue their regular work schedules unless told otherwise by their supervisors. Many research labs use student workers, raising questions about whether they'll remain open. Blank said most of the students in the labs are graduate students who live off-campus and won't be affected by the dorm closures.

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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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