3 Penn Students Test Positive For Coronavirus: University

PHILADELPHIA — Officials with the University of Pennsylvania Monday said three undergraduate students have tested positive for the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

Penn's Associate Provost and Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Benoit Dubé said Monday that the three students were part of a group that traveled together abroad for spring break.

Some members of the group returned to campus last week, where they lived in close quarters and socialized with friends.

Two students are home, away from campus. The third was on campus and tested by Penn Medicine. Upon release from the hospital, the student will be quarantined and cared for in an undisclosed campus location following public health protocols, Dubé said.

"Protecting the anonymity of these students is of utmost importance," she said. "Please respect your classmates’ privacy and think about how you would want others to act if you were contending with COVID-19."

The group subsequently shared details of their travel and contacts. This allowed the university to identify 20 other students — most of whom are not currently on campus — have medium to high risk of exposure, necessitating 14 days of self-isolation and symptom checks wherever they are.

"I greatly appreciate these students sharing details of their travel and contacts," Dubé said.