UGA, USG cancel China trips as Coronavirus spreads

The University of Georgia is cancelling all trips to China that had been scheduled for the spring and summer semesters: UGA calls it a precautionary move as Coronavirus spreads in China. There have been more than 360 confirmed Coronavirus deaths, most of them in China. 

In addition to UGA, the University System of Georgia is calling off China trips for other schools in the USG: "USG and its institutions will NOT approve travel to China effective immediately," says a University System email. 

From WSB TV…

Officials said Sunday that three more people in California have tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total U.S. cases up to 11.

A woman in Santa Clara County, California was been diagnosed with the deadly illness as well as a husband and wife in San Benito County.

Over the weekend, airports put firmer restrictions in place to control travel between the United States and China.

Starting Sunday at 5 p.m., U.S. citizens who have recently traveled to China were only allowed to fly into seven airports Those seven airports are all conducting screenings for the deadly virus.

The U.S. has also temporarily closed its doors to foreign nationals who recently traveled to China.

In Atlanta, Delta suspended all flights between Atlanta and Shanghai. The last return Delta flight from China to the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport left Sunday. Flights to China were suspended Saturday.

American Airlines has also suspended all flights between the U.S. and China.

The carrier expects its flights to China will be suspended through April 30, but said it will continue to monitor the situation and may make adjustments “as the situation continues to evolve.”

Hartsfield-Jackson issued a statement Saturday saying some passengers who may have connected through the affected region could be diverted to Atlanta, but the new regulations affect passengers only and the airport does not expect planes to be funneled to Atlanta.

The airport also said some employees throughout Hartsfield-Jackson may choose to wear protective masks but it is not mandatory.

Seiden talked to Lori Lee Adams, a concerned traveler who just flew in from South Carolina. She said she had second thoughts boarding her flight.

“I’ve never seen this many masks on the plane,” Adams said. "Everybody’s concerned about the coronavirus.

More than 14,000 people have contracted the coronavirus worldwide.

The latest case was diagnosed in a woman who is visiting the U.S. from Wuhan, China where the virus originated, officials said.

Officials said the woman has stayed home since she arrived, except for two times to seek outpatient medical care. She has been regularly monitored and was never sick enough to be hospitalized.