Stony Brook Professor Brought Home From China: Schumer

STONY BROOK, NY — Students of the Stony Brook University professor stuck in China while visiting his family in Wuhan will not have to wait long for his presence in the classroom. The professor was on a plane that evacuated Americans from Wuhan and landed in California Wednesday morning, according to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. The New York senator released a statement.

"It is welcome news to know that the U.S. State Department has worked diligently to bring the SBU professor back to the United States, and that the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will ensure all Americans aboard the flight are guided through next steps to safeguard public health," he said.

The professor was unable to return to the United States as a result of China's travel lockdown due to the coronavirus.

"The University community, our employee, and the family of our employee are grateful for the assistance and support from Senator Schumer's Office and the U.S. State Department," Stony Brook University told Patch in a statement.

The coronavirus outbreak has been linked to at least 132 deaths and sickened nearly 6,000 people, Fox News reported.

To protect against infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends basic hygiene techniques such as washing your hands often, staying hydrated, and coughing into one's arm or a tissue. If there's a fear of animal transmission, CDC officials urge people to wash hands after contact with animals and thoroughly cook any meat before eating it.