“As of now, thats what we’re thinking,” said Margaret Crane, CalArts media relations manager. “We are taking all possible health precautions at this point,” she said Friday, after the school announced an unexpected closure in order to help fight a spread of the illness.
After school officials learned of 16 students becoming ill last week, the school took several precautionary measures and invited county health agencies on to campus to investigate potential causes.
The results of the tests are not yet available, but school officials released information about norovirus, a highly contagious stomach virus, that’s suspected to be the cause.
CalArts administrators have cancelled all classes and campus activities through the end of day Monday. That includes the popular CalArts Halloween party, which was scheduled for Friday night.
An online health update posted Friday on the university’s website states: “This is not a decision the administration and Student Council made lightly — but the health and safety of the entire CalArts community is our top priority.”
Students who live on campus were being allowed to remain on campus over the weekend.
CalArts faculty, staff members and students are being asked by the Public Health Department to complete an online survey to help pinpoint the cause of the outbreak.
School officials say to check the Campus Health Advisory webpage for up-to-date information.
CalArts Scheduled to Reopen Tuesday Following Outbreak
