College Student In Self-Quarantine After Study Abroad In Italy

A college student who's back in Oklahoma City is telling News 9 what it's like to self-quarantine.

He is not showing any symptoms but wanted to take proper precautions.

John Jacobi was studying in Italy at St. John’s University in Rome.

He arrived in January and recently returned before a travel ban was put in place.

Before he left, Jacobi said warnings from officials were becoming much more serious.

“Leaving Italy, it seemed things updated day by day, hour by hour, just kept speeding up,” said Jacobi.

To date, there have been more than 17,600 COVID-19 cases in Italy, and 1,260 deaths.

Family is helping keep an eye on Jacobi, but there are rules around the house.

“Not handling any food that is shared, taking any dishes out of the dishwasher, putting anything away, pretty much try to keep to myself,” he said.

The quarantine helps keep at risk groups like the elderly, those with health concerns.

Jacobi said he believes COVID-19 was particularly deadly in Italy because older crowds are much more involved in public life.

But, as far as what people need to have on hand if they ever find themselves locked away for the 14-day period.

“I don't know if there is anything they need to stock up on. Obviously, it's good to have soap and hand sanitizer on hand. But there is no reason to go out and buy as much as that as you can,” said Jacobi.