Five College Students Test Positive for Coronavirus After Going on Spring Break Trip

The University of Tampa is reporting that five of its students have tested positive for the coronavirus after they traveled for spring break.

“UT has been notified that five UT students, traveling together and with other UT students during Spring Break, have tested positive for COVID-19. We sincerely wish our students, and any others who may be affected, a full and rapid recovery,” the school tweeted.

The University of Tampa@UofTampa

UT has been notified that five UT students, traveling together and with other UT students during Spring Break, have tested positive for COVID-19. We sincerely wish our students, and any others who may be affected, a full and rapid recovery. http://www.ut.edu/coronavirus

COVID-19 Resources and Updates

Coronavirus information for students, faculty and staff.
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4:51 AM - Mar 22, 2020

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The university wrote in a separate statement on Facebook that a total of six of its students have tested positive for the coronavirus.

“Five students were traveling together and with other UT students during spring break. One of the students did not return to campus after spring break, and four returned to campus,” the university posted.

“All are self-isolating – the latter four on campus — and none have been hospitalized,” the school added.

The university did not disclose where the students traveled for spring break.

School officials reported a sixth student tested positive for the virus after traveling abroad.

“One student was traveling internationally and was tested at the Dickey Health and Wellness Center on March 16. The student is self-isolating off campus, and has not been hospitalized,” the university said.

The University of Tampa announced last week that it had moved all courses online for the reminder of the semester.

The school also urged its students to practice social distancing.

The news of the student illnesses comes a week after thousands of young spring breakers were heavily criticized for gathering on Florida beaches.

A number of young people were interviewed about ignoring pleas from public health officials to practice social distancing in a clip that has widely circulated online.

During one interview, a young man said,“If I get corona, I get corona. At the end of the day, I’m not gonna let it stop me from partying.”

Another young person interviewed said, “[Coronavirus is] really messing up with my spring break. What is there to do here other than go to the bars or the beach?”

CBS News reported the clip originated from Reuters.

Other images and videos of packed Florida beaches also captivated social media.