The Coast Guard Academy announced a cadet has tested positive for the novel coronavirus following a trip to Europe over spring break.

The cadet, a 20-year-old male who is in his third year at the academy, was visiting Spain with six other cadets and a civilian friend when they were ordered to return to the U.S. following President Donald Trump's suspension on European travel to fight the pandemic.

The civilian also tested positive for the virus and arrangements are being made to test the other cadets, who are not exhibiting any symptoms of the virus.

The number of cadets, faculty and staff who are self-monitoring has spiked from six people two days ago to 56 people as of Thursday, Superintendent Rear Adm. Bill Kelly said in a video message Friday.

"Folks, this is real. We know that. We see that across the nation and as the nation begins to ramp up the testing and the evaluations that are being done, we're going to see those numbers continue to go up," Kelly said.

As of now, the academy only has the one positive case.

Upon returning home to Florida from Europe, the male cadet became symptomatic and sought treatment and screening. The cadet is self-quarantining at home. The other cadets who were traveling with him also are quarantined at their respective homes. All cadets are required to inform the academy if they test positive for the virus.  

"Our thoughts and wishes for a full and speedy recovery are with these cadets, their friend, and their families. The academy's medical staff will be in daily contact to ensure the well-being of our cadets and the local health department is fully aware and engaged in treatment and monitoring of these cases," Kelly said.

Cadets have not been on campus since earlier this month. Their spring break started March 9, and they were ordered by Kelly on March 13 to remain home for additional two weeks to prevent the spread of the virus.

On Friday, Kelly announced that he is again postponing cadets' return to campus, saying that cadets should not return at the end of the month, and that he would provide more information early next week. Faculty has been working to enable cadets to begin remote and online training and learning starting Monday, he said.

The academy will continue to monitor and evaluate the evolving situation, he said, and "take appropriate actions to protect the health and safety of the cadets, faculty, staff and our local community, while striving to achieve our mission of preparing officers for the U.S. Coast Guard." 

j.bergman@theday.com