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Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and state health officials are holding a press conference Sunday to give an update on the two possible coronavirus cases at the university. The health officials have confirmed that the two test cases of coronavirus from Miami University are negative.The press conference comes after the university announced two students are being tested for a possible infection of the coronavirus, school officials announced earlier this week.Health officials said that on Jan. 26 one student showed up at Student Health Services with very mild symptoms, and with recent travel to China, met the criteria to be tested, school health officials said. University officials contacted the Butler County Health Department. “They knew exactly what to do. They isolated the students immediately and called us, and then, we did an investigation, interviewed the students and placed them in a home situation because they’re not sick enough to be hospitalized,” Butler County Health Commissioner Jenny Bailer said. The student, described only as a male, and his traveling companion are isolated in their off-campus residence while awaiting the test results. According to school officials, only one of these students showed potential symptoms, and the other is being tested as a precaution.Respiratory and blood samples were sent to the Centers for Disease Control.”Currently, the only place to do the testing is the CDC. The CDC is anticipating it’s taking at least 48 hours. It may be longer with the kind of volume they’re getting,” said Dr. Amy Action, director of the Ohio Department of Health. The Tuesday night men’s basketball game against Central Michigan and the Wednesday night women’s basketball against Western Michigan have been postponed. The opposing teams have decided to cancel the games out of precaution. Miami Athletics announced Wednesday that the postponed games have been rescheduled. The women’s basketball game has been rescheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. and the men’s basketball game will be rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. The novel coronavirus has sickened thousands and killed at least 100 people in China. The virus mainly sickens animals, but this specific coronavirus “jumped the species barrier” to infect people on a large scale, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.Despite the coronavirus’ impact in China, the CDC maintains that the risk to Americans is low.Reported illnesses have ranged from infected people with little or no symptoms to death, officials with the CDC said. Symptoms are similar to other respiratory illnesses. These viruses may cause mild to severe respiratory illnesses with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath.As of Sunday morning, there were 14,380 cases confirmed in China.Infections have been confirmed in the United States, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Germany, Canada, Australia and Sri Lanka.The sharp rise in infections in recent days suggests there has been significant human-to-human spread of the virus, though it could also be explained by expanded monitoring efforts, said Malik Peiris, chair in virology at the University of Hong Kong.Experts worry that the new virus may spread more easily than originally thought, or may have mutated into a form that does so. It is from the coronavirus family, which also can cause the common cold as well as more serious illnesses such as SARS.WLWT will update this story as details develop.
OXFORD, Ohio —
Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and state health officials are holding a press conference Sunday to give an update on the two possible coronavirus cases at the university.
The health officials have confirmed that the two test cases of coronavirus from Miami University are negative.
The press conference comes after the university announced two students are being tested for a possible infection of the coronavirus, school officials announced earlier this week.
Health officials said that on Jan. 26 one student showed up at Student Health Services with very mild symptoms, and with recent travel to China, met the criteria to be tested, school health officials said.
University officials contacted the Butler County Health Department.
“They knew exactly what to do. They isolated the students immediately and called us, and then, we did an investigation, interviewed the students and placed them in a home situation because they’re not sick enough to be hospitalized,” Butler County Health Commissioner Jenny Bailer said.
The student, described only as a male, and his traveling companion are isolated in their off-campus residence while awaiting the test results. According to school officials, only one of these students showed potential symptoms, and the other is being tested as a precaution.
Respiratory and blood samples were sent to the Centers for Disease Control.
“Currently, the only place to do the testing is the CDC. The CDC is anticipating it’s taking at least 48 hours. It may be longer with the kind of volume they’re getting,” said Dr. Amy Action, director of the Ohio Department of Health.
The Tuesday night men’s basketball game against Central Michigan and the Wednesday night women’s basketball against Western Michigan have been postponed. The opposing teams have decided to cancel the games out of precaution.
Miami Athletics announced Wednesday that the postponed games have been rescheduled. The women’s basketball game has been rescheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. and the men’s basketball game will be rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
The novel coronavirus has sickened thousands and killed at least 100 people in China. The virus mainly sickens animals, but this specific coronavirus “jumped the species barrier” to infect people on a large scale, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Despite the coronavirus’ impact in China, the CDC maintains that the risk to Americans is low.
Reported illnesses have ranged from infected people with little or no symptoms to death, officials with the CDC said. Symptoms are similar to other respiratory illnesses. These viruses may cause mild to severe respiratory illnesses with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath.
As of Sunday morning, there were 14,380 cases confirmed in China.
Infections have been confirmed in the United States, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Germany, Canada, Australia and Sri Lanka.
The sharp rise in infections in recent days suggests there has been significant human-to-human spread of the virus, though it could also be explained by expanded monitoring efforts, said Malik Peiris, chair in virology at the University of Hong Kong.
Experts worry that the new virus may spread more easily than originally thought, or may have mutated into a form that does so. It is from the coronavirus family, which also can cause the common cold as well as more serious illnesses such as SARS.
WLWT will update this story as details develop.
