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How coronavirus could impact college students' spring break plans

Posted 11:53 PM, Mar 10, 2020
and last updated 11:55 PM, Mar 10, 2020

BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- Many colleges are preparing for spring break and some students are ready to head out of town, but the coronavirus outbreak is making plans a little more difficult for some.

Spring break for University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is next week. One student told us he was going on a cruise in the Caribbean. He said he wasn't too concerned over coronavirus. Another student said he was planning to spend time in Chicago with family. He is a bit more worried, concerned about going to a big city during the outbreak. He said he might alter his plans.

As of today, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is recommending people don't travel to places in the United States that have seen high community spread, including King County, Washington, New York City, parts of Northern California, and Florida.

St. Norbert College is also on spring break next week. Chrystal Woller, the college's director of health services said they're reminding students to be cautious.

"There's always a concern because travel definitely increases your risk, especially if you're traveling to communities with wide spread transmission," added Woller.

She also said if students have symptoms including fever, cough, or shortness of breath, they should not return to campus, but call health services so they can offer advice and possibly get tested. The St. Norbert College community is being encouraged to stay home if sick, cover coughs, and wash hands. Woller said it's also important for students, faculty, and staff to monitor federal and state websites for any other travel restrictions or information on coronavirus.

Here are some websites for more information.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/coronavirus.htm