Saint Bernard Student Was Monitored For Coronavirus Symptoms

UNCASVILLE, CT — A St. Bernard School student who traveled to China is being monitored after showing symptoms similar to those seen in novel coronavirus, according to a report from NBC 10.

Patch tried unsuccessfully to contact headmaster Don Macrino for comment. Local media reported that Macrino indicated the student recently returned from China and began exhibiting respiratory symptoms and the school's nurse contacted the local health department.

The student was seen at a local emergency room and then was kept overnight "out of an abundance of caution, Macrino was reported to have said.

Late Tuesday, a parent contacted Patch to say that Macrino contacted parents to say the student does not have the virus and will be returning to school. Efforts to reach Macrino were unsuccessful.

A Wesleyan University student who recently traveled to Asia had been isolated and was being monitored after exhibiting symptoms consistent with the coronavirus. The school had been working with state and federal health officials after the student developed a fever and cough. The student tested negative, Wesleyan University Director of Media and Public Relations Lauren Rubenstein said in a statement emailed to Patch.

"The Centers for Disease Control has reported that the Wesleyan student being monitored has tested NEGATIVE for the coronavirus. The student is doing well," she wrote.

On Sunday it was reported that a high-school student from China, who was visiting Yale University for a conference in New Haven, has been placed in isolation after testing positive for the flu, the New Haven Register reports.

Meanwhile, there is concern about the spread of the virus as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is announcing new confirmed cases in the U.S. almost daily.

The CDC has a dedicated Novel Coronavirus page on its website and notes, "This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available, in addition to updated guidance."

Here's What You Need To Know About Coronavirus

From a Patch report earlier this week after a Snohomish County, Washington man became ill with the deadly respiratory virus.

What is a coronavirus?

According to the CDC, coronaviruses are part of a large family of viruses that cause illnesses both in humans and animals. In rare cases, animal coronaviruses can evolve to infect people. The new virus is officially referred to as "2019 novel coronavirus" or "2019-nCoV."

How does this new virus spread?

Researchers around the globe are still determining precisely how the virus spreads. Many patients in the Wuhan outbreak had visited a large seafood and animal market, but a growing number of patients have no connection. The CDC said that indicates limited person-to-person transmission is possible — but it remains unknown how easily it spreads among people. Illnesses have been confirmed outside of China in Thailand, Japan and South Korea, as well as one case in the United States.

How severe are the symptoms?

Most coronaviruses cause mild respiratory illnesses, similar to the common cold, and a fever. Some can be more severe, such as SARS and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). Researchers do not know how long symptoms appear after an initial exposure. The man diagnosed in Washington checked in to a health clinic with a fever and a cough.

Is there a vaccine?

According to Public Health, there is no vaccine for this virus or other coronaviruses, but scientists at the National Institute of Health have said they will work toward developing one.