A University of Scranton student who attended Hill Section gatherings on parade day has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the university's president.

The Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., sent an email alerting members of the university Monday that a student, who lives off campus, had attended "student gatherings" in the 400 block of Clay Avenue on March 14.

"The painful development that is affecting so many families across the globe is now part of our university family," Pilarz wrote. "(Sunday), we learned that a student has tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19."

The student developed symptoms late last week. It is unclear where or when the student contracted the virus, according to the email. Symptoms can take anywhere from two to 14 days to develop, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The student is recovering at home.

Organizers postponed the annual St. Patrick's Parade, which draws crowds of 100,000 to the city, to curb exposure to the coronavirus.

Officials also cautioned the public to avoid social gatherings prior to the parade, said Al Lucas, Scranton's acting fire chief/EMS coordinator.

"We tried, before the parade, to educate the public and tell them exactly not to do … what he did," Lucas said. "Obviously, he's put all of the people at that party at risk."

The ripple effects could be larger than just those in attendance, he said, pointing to the possibility of people at the party then exposing others.

The University of Scranton sent its students home for spring break March 13, and the school will resume classes remotely March 30, said spokesman Stan Zygmunt. The university closed its campus March 17.

Students are scheduled to return to campus after Easter break April 13, with classes resuming April 14, but it's going to depend on the situation beyond the university for school officials to decide when to allow students to return, Zygmunt said.

The university's Student Health Services advises all students and members of the university's community to self monitor and consult with a medical professional if they become symptomatic, Pilarz wrote.

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