March 29, 2024
Coronavirus | Daily Chronicle


Coronavirus

NIU reports highest single-day total of COVID cases in almost a month, with 10 new cases

DeKALB - Northern Illinois University announced 10 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, the highest single-day total since 10 were also reported on Nov. 6.

Nine of the new cases were students, and eight of 11 recoveries reported on Tuesday were in students as well. There are 50 active cases on campus, 40 of them in students.

There have been a total of 564 total COVID-19 cases on campus.

The school did not conduct full surveillance testing last week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, testing just 17 students with no positive cases. For the week of Nov. 16, there were eight positives in 739 tests, a rate of 1.1%.

The school's quarantine and isolation use rise to 5.5%.

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.

Post Thanksgiving-break, NIU classes that weren't already being offered online will be transitioned to remote as able, though some courses could remain in person, with the campus and residential halls open still for students. The Spring 2020 semester will not have any in-person Class of 2020 graduations or a spring break. No decision has yet been made on any spring graduations for the Class of 2021.

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.