Officials Investigating Two Possible Coronavirus Cases at Miami University

Officials are investigating two possible cases of the coronavirus at Miami University (cover photo), which is about an hour from the University of Dayton. Courtesy of Wikimedia

Sean Newhouse 
Online Editor-in-Chief

Butler County and Miami University officials are investigating two possible coronavirus cases on the public university’s campus, according to an announcement Tuesday morning. Miami is about an hour from the University of Dayton. 

A Miami student who reported symptoms and his travel companion have been placed in isolation away from campus, but they are not quarantined. The two had recently traveled to China and are “not severely ill.”

The coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China, where it has killed more than 100 and sickened thousands. According to CNN on Monday, there are five confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S. None are in Ohio.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is testing if the two individuals are infected with the virus. The health director for the Ohio Department of Health said “the infection is ‘low risk,’” according to the Dayton Daily News. 

The Dayton Daily News also reported that, according to officials, “…unless someone has recently traveled from China or been near someone ill with the new virus, their risk is low.”

Miami’s spring semester began on Monday. Miami officials said there are no plans to cancel classes or campus activities.   

UD is communicating “with faculty, staff and students who could be most directly affected by the virus, including students from China and anyone with travel scheduled to China,” according to university officials.

Protections from the cold and flu also can reduce one’s risk of the coronavirus, according to UD’s Health Center. A list of prevention tips was posted to its website.  

According to the CDC, symptoms of the coronavirus include runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever.  UD students who recently traveled to Wuhan who are experiencing these symptoms should first call UD’s Health Center (937-229-3131).  

Three University of Washington students who had recently traveled to Wuhan were tested for coronavirus after showing symptoms, but one student’s test came back negative.

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