10 From Towson University Self-Quarantine Post Conference: Report

TOWSON, MD — Towson University officials reportedly asked 10 people to quarantine themselves someplace off campus after the individuals attended the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Conference in Washington, D.C. The university's health department provided the guidance, according to Towson University student newspaper The Towerlight.

Two people who attended the conference tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which organized it. Those infected with the virus were reportedly from New York.

Towson University has taken several steps to minimize the potential for exposure.

Professors at Towson encouraged students studying mass communications to use Skype or live streams to minimize their risk of exposure to the illness, The Towerlight reported.

The nine students and one staff member who attended the March 1 to 3 conference were advised to self-quarantine at home for two weeks starting with the last day they were at the event, according to The Baltimore Sun, which reported classrooms connected to one of the students potentially exposed to the virus were being disinfected.

Symptoms of the new coronavirus are fever, cough, difficulty breathing and pneumonia, resulting in anything from mild respiratory issues to death.

The individuals at Towson University asked to self-isolate were given this guidance from the University System of Maryland:

"What does it mean to self-isolate? Our experts have advised that individuals limit contact with others as best they can —that could mean staying apart in a separate room or a similar set-up. They should also follow published CDC recommendations regarding self-isolation, which include self-observation and monitoring of symptoms (such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing).

"Should such symptoms become evident, individuals should contact their health care provider. They should not go to a hospital or emergency room. They should instead seek treatment at their physician’s office or an urgent care center where they will likely encounter fewer people and thus reduce the chance of transmission ... After 14 days of self-isolation without sign of infection, these individuals will be required to contact their individual health provider, student health center, or employee health staff prior to returning to their USM institution and continuing their work or studies."

As of Monday night, six people in Maryland have tested positive for the new coronavirus and 73 people have tested negative in the state.

• Four are from Montgomery County, including three who took an Egyptian cruise on the Nile River. A Montgomery County man in his 60s who traveled to Egypt and Thailand also tested positive.
• An 86-year-old Harford County woman who went to Turkey tested positive for COVID-19 and remains hospitalized as of Monday night. "This appears to be the first case of COVID-19 anywhere in the world to be associated with travel to Turkey," Gov. Larry Hogan said at a news conference Monday afternoon.
• A Prince George's County resident who traveled out of Maryland is the sixth person to test positive for the novel coronavirus in the state. That case was confirmed Monday night.

See Also:

• 6th MD Coronavirus Case Is In PG County
• MD Governor On New Coronavirus: Situation Will 'Escalate Rapidly'
• Towson Suspends Some Study Abroad Opportunities Over Coronavirus
• Towson Issues Coronavirus Campus Update