Inaccurate messages regarding the spread of the Coronavirus on Nicholls campus has been distributed via text message and other forms of social media today, March 5, 2020. The text message was not the work of Nicholls State University officials.

Nicholls State Director of Communications Jerad David spoke to the Nicholls Worth this morning to reiterate the message sent in his school-wide email: There have been no cases of the Coronavirus on Nicholls’ campus.

“I want to clear the air and say that there are no confirmed cases of the Coronavirus on Nicholls campus—or even in Louisiana—as a matter of fact,” David said.

He went on to say that the origin of the false message is still under investigation, and the university is working diligently to find the source of the message that sprung some into a state of panic and confusion.

“We believe that the message started with a Snapchat, and from there, it was spread in the form of texts and other social media,” David said.

He also said that in the future, students should be mindful of the source of information and the reliability of it.

“If an important message such as this one doesn’t come from the official communications department here on campus or any other official campus department, it should probably be disregarded,” David said. “If ever there was an emergency like this, we would use our ever bridge program.”

The ever bridge program is the program that allows for the quick dissemination of emergency messages to all those affected by change on Nicholls’ campus. The messages come in the form of texts and/or phone calls to all on campus for situations such as tornado warnings/watches, infectious outbreaks, and quick waters rising on certain areas of campus.

“We are monitoring the Coronavirus very carefully and following the announcements of the CDC and of state officials,” David said. “Everyone can rest assured that we are working to prevent panic and making sure that everyone at the university remains prepared, healthy, and safe.”