Rectors of Tomsk universities extend distance learning until April 30

TOMSK, Mar 25 – RIA Tomsk. Distance learning at all universities in Tomsk was extended until April 30 due to the threat of the spread of coronavirus infection, such a decision was made by university leaders during the council of rectors on Wednesday, a representative of the press service of Tomsk State University (TSU) told RIA Tomsk.

It was previously reported that an outbreak of pneumonia caused by a new type of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 was recorded in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019. On March 11. In the Tomsk region, the first and so far the only case of coronavirus infection was detected on March 18, on the same day a high-alert regime was introduced in the region. All Tomsk universities were transferred to distance learning until March 28.

“Having discussed the current epidemiological situation that is developing under normal conditions in the region, we decided, nevertheless, that there is no reason to cancel the existing measures. And the rectors of the universities of the Tomsk region, having discussed this case, decided to extend the distance learning regime until April 30", - the interlocutor of the agency quoted the rector of TSU Eduard Galazhinsky.

It was also previously reported that the authorities of the region are preparing reserves in order to accept a large number of patients with COVID-19 and suspicion of it if necessary: up to a thousand beds can be deployed additionally, hospitals can be redesigned as infectious ones if necessary.

An observational center has been established to isolate citizens suspected of coronavirus infection; Tomsk citizens who have arrived from countries affected by the virus and who do not want to put their loved ones at risk are sent to it.

Mass events, including entertainment and sports, are temporarily prohibited in the region, all universities have been transferred to distance learning, free attendance has been introduced in schools, and maximum protection measures have been introduced at the Tomsk airport.

According to the official website of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor), as of March 25, 658 cases of coronavirus infection were registered in Russia, 29 people recovered, two of them are Chinese citizens, one Italian citizen. According to the Worldometers website, as of the morning of March 25, the number of COVID-19 cases in the world exceeded 422 thousand people, almost 109 thousand recovered, and about 18.9 thousand died.