More than 100 Princeton University Students In Self-isolation Over Fears of Coronavirus

As fears of the coronavirus continue globally, Princeton University says that more than 100 of their students are in self-isolation following recent trips to mainland China.

The University’s newspaper, the Daily Princetonian, reports that 108 students (94 graduate students and 14 undergraduate students) were in self-isolation as of Sunday, February 2.

The university is requiring all students, faculty, and staff who visited mainland China within the past weeks self-isolate for at least 14 days.

At this time there is no reason to believe any of the students in self-isolation could have contracted the virus. They are deemed "low risk," and the university says they’re following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Princeton is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all members of the University community. Guided by that principle, we are responding to the novel coronavirus based on the latest information and recommendations from government and health officials,” Michael Hotchkiss, a deputy spokesperson for the university, told the newspaper.

Additionally, Princeton University has also banned students, faculty and staff from traveling to mainland China as part of any University-sponsored programs or business. The announcement was made in a letter to the university’s community on Friday (January 31).