Florida spring break students test positive for coronavirus
The school says the students traveled for spring break, but didn't say where.
The University of Tampa announced that five students have tested positive for coronavirus.
The University of Tampa announced Saturday that five of its students who traveled for spring break have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The announcement comes just days after photos emerged showing what appears to be hundreds of young people packing onto Florida’s beaches for spring break, even as authorities and health officials stressed the need for “social distancing.”
”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 university said in a tweet.
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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. https://t.co/MXl4e1v3gh
— The University of Tampa (@UofTampa) March 21, 2020
The university did not disclose where the students traveled, or whether the students they traveled with have been tested or are self-quarantining. The university did not respond to Campus Reform in time for publication.
One of the popular spring break destinations where college students congregated is Clearwater Beach, Florida, just outside Tampa.
Local officials in both Tampa and the Miami area closed beaches in attempts to help slow the spread of coronavirus as Gov. Ron DeSantis faced calls to close beaches statewide. The governor has so far resisted those calls, opting instead to close all bars and nightclubs in the Sunshine State for at least 30 days.
DeSantis, during an interview with Fox & Friends, sent a strong message to young spring break travelers ignoring health guidelines.
“The message I think for spring breakers is that the party is over in Florida,” DeSantis said. “You’re not going to be able to congregate on any beach in the state. Many of the hot spots that people like to go to, whether it’s Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Clearwater Beach are closed entirely for the time being.”
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