Campus, Coronavirus, News

How the CSULB dorms are preparing for coronavirus

Housing and Residential Life officials confirmed on Tuesday that housing will remain open even if Long Beach State turns to alternative methods of teaching due to the concerns of COVID-19. 

Corry Colonna, executive director of housing and residential life, said that housing and housing services will remain open and accessible to students if the school decides to suspend in-person classes and implement alternative methods of learning like online classes.

Colonna said that in the extreme case the campus has to close down, housing and housing services would be consolidated to one or two buildings.  

“We would clean and prepare one building that needs to remain and provide those services,” Colonna said.  

Those buildings, according to Colonna, would be for international students, foster youth students and “Other students that don’t have a home to go back to or a place that isn’t welcoming.” 

Residential halls are being cleaned and disinfected twice a day. Colonna said that the department is being advised by health officials. 

Students expressed their concerns about student housing after an email on March 7 announced that three non-CSULB related individuals tested positive for coronavirus at an event in Washington D.C. that students attended earlier last week. Though one of the students who attended the event lives in student housing, it has not been disclosed as to which dormitory they live in. 

“We want to protect their privacy,” Colonna said. “Furthermore, there is no suspected case or confirmed case on campus. Having that student stay is taking extra protective precautions.”

For up-to-date coverage on coronavirus at CSULB, visit our live coverage page.

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Number of COVID-19 cases in Long Beach


What to know about COVID-19

Common symptoms:

● Cough                   ● Fever

● Tiredness            ● Shortness of breath

● Chills                      ● Shaking

● Loss of taste      ● Loss of smell

● Muscle pain        ● Headache

● Sore throat

Symptoms can begin to present one to 14 days after initial exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

How is it transmitted?

● Close contact with someone, such as shaking hands or hugging.

● Contact with droplets from a sneeze or cough.

● Touching of eyes, mouth or nose with dirty hands.

Are you at risk?

● Have you traveled to an affected area within the past two weeks?

● Have you had close contact with someone who is infected?

If yes to either, and you begin to present symptoms, call your doctor and ask to be tested. 

Prevention:

There is currently no treatment for COVID-19, but the CDC recommends measures to contain the spread of the virus.

● Self-isolate; avoid contact with others including pets; only leave your house for food or medical attention.

● Wear a face mask.

● Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds; sanitizer must contain over 60% alcohol to be effective.

● Clean “high-touch” areas every day.  

● Maintain a six-foot distance from other individuals; abide by “social distancing” recommendations. 

● Avoid gatherings with more than nine people. 

 Alert health officials if you think you have COVID-19; monitor your symptoms.



Number of COVID-19 deaths in Long Beach

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