Slippery Rock University's administration suspended the school's study abroad program over coronavirus, aka COVID-19, according to a school announcement.

The announcement is signed by the school's president, William Behre, and he cites a figure of 84,000 virus cases identified in 52 countries. In the letter, Behre notes that the cancellation is for spring break, March 8 to 15.

According to The Associated Press, the list of countries hit by the illness edged toward 60 as Mexico, Belarus, Lithuania, New Zealand, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Iceland and the Netherlands reported their first cases.

The SRU program is run through the Office for Global Engagement and it typically offers students a chance to continue their studies in more than a dozen countries, including China.

“This decision was not entered into lightly,” Behre wrote in the announcement.“This decision was made out of an abundance of caution and responsibility for the well-being of all involved.”

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