Harvard University president Larry Bacow and his wife, Adele, have contracted the Chinese coronavirus, the university announced Tuesday.
“Earlier today, Adele and I learned that we tested positive for COVID-19. We started experiencing symptoms on Sunday—first coughs then fevers, chills, and muscle aches—and contacted our doctors on Monday. We were tested yesterday and just received the results a few minutes ago. We wanted to share this news with all of you as soon as possible,” Bacow said in a statement.
“Neither of us knows how we contracted the virus, but the good news—if there is any to be had—is that far fewer people crossed our paths recently than is usually the case. We began working from home and completely limiting our contact with others on March 14 in keeping with recommendations to adopt social distancing measures,” he added. “In line with standard protocols, the Department of Public Health will be in touch with anyone with whom we have had close contact over the past fourteen days.”
Bacow’s announcement comes after the school ordered students to leave campus and moved to online courses. The move followed the cancellation of events deemed non-essential. On Friday, Harvard University announced it was canceling its annual commencement ceremony and would live-stream virtual graduation events on May 28th. Bacow explained the decision was prompted by guidelines suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“No virtual gathering can possibly match the splendor of our usual festivities, but we will come together online on Thursday, May 28, to award degrees so that everyone will graduate as expected. Each School at Harvard will also host its own special online event and afterwards deliver diplomas through the mail,” Bacow wrote in a letter to students. “We plan to host an in-person celebration sometime later, once we know it is safe to bring people together again. By then, we will be eager not just to celebrate our graduating students, but also to recognize and acknowledge the sacrifices that so many have made to ensure the well-being of our community.”
Harvard University joined other colleges, including the University of Michigan and California State University, Sacramento in canceling their commencement ceremonies. Wellesley College’s graduating students will reportedly hold their own commencement ceremony.