March 28, 2024
Coronavirus | Daily Chronicle


Coronavirus

Only one new case of COVID-19 at NIU reported Wednesday

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DeKALB – For the second Wednesday in a row, Northern Illinois University reported one new case of COVID-19. The new case was in a student, while the school also announced two new recoveries – both students.

There now have been 388 positive tests on campus, and 330 individuals have recovered. Six employees and 52 students remain positive.

According to surveillance testing results released Monday, 23 new cases were reported from the randomly selected students among 422 tests. The 5.5% positivity rate was the highest reported in the eight weeks the school has been doing surveillance testing.

The school’s quarantine and isolation use rose to 11%.

President Lisa Freeman called for a two-week pause to in-person classes Sept. 11 amid a surge in COVID-19 cases connected to campus. She had cited large gatherings and parties as the main source of transmission of COVID-19. The decision was made the same day the Illinois Department of Public Health designated DeKalb County as a warning zone because of a surge in cases. Classes resumed Sept. 28.

The university first welcomed students back to campus Aug. 19, and classes began Aug. 24. Students living on campus were required to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test before moving in.

According to the school, a 14-day quarantine begins after individuals first show signs of symptoms, not when they receive a positive test for the virus. A case is considered recovered after the 14-day period is over.

Although specific surveillance testing results are reported weekly on Mondays, positive tests found through the program are included in daily statistics.

Daily COVID-19 case data from the DeKalb County Health Department may not reflect daily data from NIU because some students or employees may live outside the county and still test positive for the virus.