April 26, 2024
Shaw Local
NewsSubscribePrep SportsChicago BearsNewsletterThe SceneeNewspaperObituariesEvent Calendar

Three new cases of COVID-19 reported Tuesday at NIU

By Katrina J.E. Milton

Signs on the entrance to New Residence Hall at Northern Illinois University reminds students to wear a mask as they enter the building Aug. 19 during the first of five move-in days at NIU in DeKalb. Students, parents, staff and volunteer helpers were required to observe COVID-19 safety precautions set out by the school including wearing masks and maintaining social distance. (Mark Busch)

On Tuesday, Northern Illinois University reported three new cases of COVID-19: two students and one employee.

That brings the total number of cases to date to 735, although 772 of them have fully recovered.

There remain 37 active cases on campus, all but six in students. The school also announced six new recoveries Tuesday.

The school’s quarantine and isolation dropped to 2.5%.

During the week beginning Feb. 15, a total of 2,087 COVID-19 tests were administered for surveillance testing. There were 8 positive tests and a positivity rate of 0.4%.

As in the fall, students were required to take a COVID-19 test before being allowed to move in to university housing this spring. NIU will post the results in daily totals as they come in.

According to the school, a 14-day quarantine begins after individuals first show signs of COVID-19 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.

Have a Question about this article?