'Good news': McMaster says student's coronavirus test came back negative

The McMaster student who was being tested for COVID-19 does not have coronavirus, according to the university.

Test results for the undergraduate student — who developed flu-like symptoms after travelling to Italy over the reading week — came back negative and they notified the school Monday, said McMaster in an update posted to its website.

"It is such good news for our student," said Roger Couldrey vice-president of administration. "But the virus continues to be a worldwide concern and the crisis team will continue to meet to ensure that McMaster is prepared and shares information and resources with our community."

That crisis group includes 15 senior administrators that have been meeting since January, but have gathered more frequently in recent weeks, explained a McMaster spokesperson in an email to CBC.

Health officials announced three more confirmed cases of  COVID-19 in Ontario Monday, bringing the total for the province to 18. There are also eight cases in British Columbia and one in Quebec, meaning Canada has a total of 27 cases so far.

Ontario reported four more cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the total for the province to 15. There are an additional eight cases in B.C. and one in Quebec.

The United States counted 80 cases as of Sunday and two deaths, both men with existing health problems who had been hospitalized in Washington state.

Meanwhile, Italian authorities said on Sunday the number of people infected in the country jumped by 50 per cent to 1,694 in just 24 hours, and five more had died, bringing the death toll there to 34.

McMaster said the student, who lives outside of Hamilton, sought medical attention and was in self-isolation isolation after returning from Italy during the week of February 17.

Students at faculty expressed concern after learning the student had been on campus since returning from their trip.

The first level of the Burke Science Building, which the student visited on Feb. 25, underwent extra cleaning over the weekend and the university opened as normal Monday morning.

McMaster has put up new posters in its washrooms reminding people to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds to avoid contracting or spreading viruses.

The university is also asking students and staff to avoid touching their face, sneeze into their elbows and to stay home if they feel sick.