TU Professor's Family Member Tests Negative For Coronavirus

The Marylander who met U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria to be tested for the novel coronavirus tested negative, state health officials said.

The person is a family member of a Towson University professor. The professor had agreed to stay home until the test results came back.

Anyone who traveled to Wuhan, China, or other areas impacted by the virus is asked to monitor for symptoms of fever, cough or difficulty breathing for 14 days after their return.

Anyone who feels sick in that period should seek medical care right away and call their doctor's office or emergency room ahead to tell them about your recent travel and symptoms. Affected people should avoid contact with others, not travel while sick and should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Affected people should wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Six Americans have tested positive for the new virus. The latest case is the husband of a Chicago woman who got sick from the virus after she returned from Wuhan. It is the first case of person-to-person spread of the virus in the U.S. Illinois officials said the risk to the general public remains low, as the man doesn't use public transportation and had not attended any large gatherings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.