Over a dozen WVU students test positive for virus

At least 14 West Virginia University students have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to college officials.The school on Wednesday night said the students were in private, off-campus housing and that a contact-tracing investigation is underway. The college has been closed since March 20.

Monongalia County, where the school is located, counted among the state’s virus hot spots and is subject to stronger safety protocols along with Marion, Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan, Harrison and Kanawha counties. Gatherings in those counties have been limited to five people and local health departments have been told to establish maximum occupancy rules for businesses, after executive orders from Republican Gov. Jim Justice.

At least 483 people in West Virginia have the virus, according to state health officials. At least four people have died.

Justice has previously ordered a state of emergency, directed all nonessential businesses to close and shuttered schools until at least April 30. The state’s primary election has been rescheduled from May 12 to June 9 over fears of the virus spreading at polling places.The governor is scheduled to hold a news conference at noon.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks, and the overwhelming majority of people recover. But people with severe cases can need respirators to survive, and with infections spreading exponentially, many hospitals are bracing for coming waves of patients.

(Image Credit: AP)