WILMINGTON — The two students at Miami University have officially tested negative for Novel Coronavirus 2019, reports Clinton County Health Commissioner Pam Walker-Bauer.
“However, flu activity continue to remains high,” she said. “We have had three school districts in Clinton County closed for illness (all except East Clinton).
On Saturday, Clinton-Massie Local Schools announced: “Due to the high volume of staff and student absences because of the flu outbreak we are canceling school for Monday, February 3rd. We will use this time to sanitize the campus. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes families but we are trying to be proactive in our efforts to curb absences. Thank you in advance for your understanding.”
Walker-Bauer said, “Everyone should continue to wash their hands, don’t touch your face, cover your cough and stay home if you are sick.
“Getting your flu vaccine is still the best way to reduce illness,” she added. “The CCHD has vaccine available for our community.”
According to a news release Sunday from the Ohio Department of Health, on Monday, Jan. 27, the Butler County General Health District reported that two students who had recently traveled to China met CDC criteria for further testing and evaluation after exhibiting respiratory symptoms at the Miami University Student Health Services Center. The two students have been isolated since then.
“While we are pleased to announce these results are negative, we continue to remain vigilant. We are working closely with our local health departments and health care providers and will keep you apprised of this ever-changing situation,” said ODH Director Dr. Amy Acton. “It’s also important to remember that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the risk of the general U.S. population contracting the novel coronavirus is low.”
There are no other persons under investigation in Ohio.
The novel coronavirus is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, which means to become infected, people generally must be within six feet of someone who is contagious and have droplets land on them. Symptoms of coronavirus appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing. There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection.
