2 Texas Students Test Negative For Coronavirus

Two students at Texas universities who were recently tested for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus were both confirmed to not be infected with the virus that originated in Wuhan, China but has since spread across borders.

On Monday, Baylor University said the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District announced that test results for a student came back negative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"University officials stress that there are no other suspected cases of Novel Coronavirus within the Baylor community at this time," the university said in a statement. "Baylor will continue to work closely with University Health Services, the WMCPHD and state and federal health officials and keep students, faculty and staff apprised in the event the situation changes."

Last week, the Brazos County Health District said it was investigating a suspected case of the virus. Texas A&M University in College Station later confirmed that a student at the school was being tested for the virus but those results also came back negative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So far, federal health officials have said there are five confirmed cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the U.S., including in California, Illinois, Arizona and Washington. According to the latest information from the government, test results are pending on 73 suspected cases and an additional 32 have turned up negative.

The new case of the virus is believe to have emerged from animals but is now seemingly spreading from person-to-person, health officials say.

In China, more than 80 people have died from the virus and there are nearly 3000 confirmed cases worldwide, with the majority of those cases in China, according to The New York Times.

Researchers are still learning exactly how the virus behaves, but they believe it is only infectious after a person shows symptoms. Most strains in the coronavirus family spread primarily through "respiratory droplets," which require close proximity for potential exposure. The new virus is officially referred to as "2019 Novel Coronavirus" or "2019-nCoV."

Symptoms can include a fever, respiratory issues, headaches, and a sore throat. In some cases overseas, the virus has caused pneumonia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offered the following guidance for anyone who has recently traveled to Wuhan, China and has a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing within 14 days of leaving:

• Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
• Avoid contact with others.
• Not travel while sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to avoid spreading the virus to others. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Read more information on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Lucas Combos contributed to this report.