MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (1010 WINS) – A student at Wesleyan University is being monitored for the potentially deadly coronavirus in Connecticut.
Health officials said no diagnosis of the student has been confirmed yet and that the student remained in isolation on Sunday.
The student had reported a cough and fever after passing through an airport where someone who contracted the virus had been, according to the Hartford Courant.
Everyone who had close contact with the student has been notified and is also being monitored, officials said.
"Out of an abundance of caution, we are working with the state Department of Public Health and the Centers of Disease Control to determine if the student has contracted the coronavirus or not," Wesleyan spokeswoman Lauren Rubenstein said in a statement
State health officials are awaiting test results from the Center for Disease Control. Gov. Ned Lamont is closely monitoring the situation, his office said.
"To date, none of these individuals have exhibited symptoms of concern," Rubenstein added.
Meanwhile, Sen. Chuck Schumer said the Centers for Disease Control cannot access the Infectious Disease Rapid Response Fund until the feds declare a public health emergency. He wants the feds to make the declaration so the CDC can unlock tens of millions of dollars for things like additional airport screening, monitoring cases and public awareness campaigns.
"Thus far the CDC's work in tracing the virus has been critically important, but if things get worse they're going to need access to the funds," Schumer said. "Get this emergency declaration out, because a stitch in time saves nine."
Schumer's office is working with a Stony Brook University professor who is stuck in Wuhan, China, visiting his family. They're working to get him back to the U.S., Schumer said.
Last week a person being monitored for the virus in New Jersey turned out not to have it.
Another case of coronavirus was confirmed in the U.S. this weekend—this time in California. A man in Washington and a woman in Chicago have also come down with the flu-like disease. Other cases have been confirmed across Asia, as well as in France and Australia.
Nearly 2,000 people have been infected with the virus in China and at least 56 people have died.
Here's the latest on the coronavirus:
-The National Health Commission said the number of confirmed cases in China rose to nearly 2,000 and the death toll, to 56.
-The U.S. reported a third case, a man in southern California who traveled from the hard-hit city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.
-Singapore and South Korea each reported one new case Sunday, while Thailand reported three new cases.
-The U.S. said it was chartering a plane to fly out its consulate staff and some civilians from the city. France said it was preparing a similar evacuation, possibly by bus. Japan said it too was arranging an evacuation flight.
-China's health minister said the country was entering a "crucial stage" as "it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger."
-Beijing said it would delay the start of classes after the Lunar New Year holiday ends later this week.
-Two of Hong Kong's biggest attractions, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, announced they were closing for the time being.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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