It's an annual ritual: mid-term exams, and then a spring break trip home or to the nearest beach or exotic destination.

But for students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, there's now a complication.

UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank sent an email to faculty, staff and students this Monday, encouraging campus members to not travel outside Dane County during spring break, from March 14-22.

Because the rapid spread of COVID-19 could have major implications for travel plans, Blank said, UW-Madison is encouraging everyone to stay put.

"Documented cases are growing rapidly both domestically and internationally," Blank wrote. "You may face a higher risk of infection, significant delays returning to Madison, and/or the requirement to self-isolate upon your return, all of which could significantly impact your professional and personal obligations at great individual expense."

Anyone who does end up traveling outside Madison for spring break will be expected to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, which include fever, cough and difficulty breathing, for 14 days.

Anyone returning to campus from an area that has a Level 3 travel warning from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will not be allowed on campus and will need to self-isolate for 14 days.

All university-sponsored trips to those countries scheduled for the next 30 days, including spring break trips, are canceled, including those to China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, Japan, South Korea and Spain, where the virus has "severe impact."

As the virus has continued its global spread, universities across Wisconsin and around the nation have been canceling study abroad trips and bringing students who are in those countries back stateside. Some American universities have gone ahead and canceled all study abroad trips. Others, including Stanford University, have canceled in-person classes altogether, moving instruction online.

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Blank encouraged people who do decide to travel outside Dane County to take important items, including medications, laptops and schoolwork, with them in case they can't get back immediately.

The university is also telling anyone with symptoms not to come to class.

There have been two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin as of Monday.

The first patient was diagnosed at UW's University Hospital. The person then self-isolated at home and has since recovered. There is no evidence the person was on campus other than to go to the hospital.

The second case was announced Monday. The patient is a resident of Pierce County and got the disease while traveling within the U.S.

Tips from UW-Madison on coronavirus

Should you develop symptoms:

Separate yourself from people and animals in your home

Avoid sharing personal household items

Clean your hands often

Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday

Do not go to work, school or public areas.

Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis.

If you need medical care, call University Health Services, urgent care or the emergency department in advance and share your symptoms. They may ask you to continue to stay home or come to a medical facility

All individuals should do the following:

Wash hands often with soap and water

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and cough and sneeze into your elbow.

Contact Devi Shastri at 414-224-2193 or DAShastri@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DeviShastri.

Editor's note, March 10, 2020: As of March 10, 2020, the CDC is advising people to avoid nonessential travel to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, which are at Level 3 risk for coronavirus. A previous version of this story misidentified which countries are currently listed at Level 3.