Update 02/02/2020, 2:20 p.m.: The number of students who contacted the university for late arrival accommodations was updated from nearly thirty to approximately 40.

Approximately 40 Stony Brook students are still in China, as the Chinese government cracks down on travel in an effort to contain the spreading coronavirus.

These students contacted the university requesting late arrival accommodations or leaves of absences after “indicating that they are restricted from returning to the U.S.,” according to Media Relations Officer Lauren Sheprow.

“The University Office of Student Affairs has a Student Support Team fully deployed to assist students who have not yet made the trip from China,” she wrote in an email to The Statesman. “Since the duration of current travel guidelines are frequently updated, it is unknown when our students who have not yet returned will be permitted to return.”

Stony Brook University is working with students on a “case-by-case basis” and faculty has been alerted to not penalize late arrivals. Students who report to class later than Feb. 10, however, will need to request a leave of absence, Sheprow said. The university plans to post a FAQ online sometime today. 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated that the flu-like virus presents a low immediate risk and many experts have pointed out that the flu is more dangerous. The CDC estimates that at least 15 million people in the U.S. have caught the flu since October, while there are currently only five confirmed coronavirus cases in the country. 

Ten New Yorkers have been tested for the flu-like virus so far, with seven coming back negative and three still pending. There is no confirmed case in the state.