November 01, 2024
Coronavirus | Daily Chronicle
Coronavirus

NIU reports five new COVID-19 cases, six new recoveries Monday

By DAILY CHRONICLE
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Signs at the entrance to New Residence Hall at Northern Illinois University remind students to wear a mask as they enter the building Aug. 19 during the first of five move-in days in DeKalb. (Mark Busch)

DeKALB – Northern Illinois University announced five new coronavirus cases Monday, and six new recoveries, representing three days' worth of COVID-19 data since Friday.

Of the new positive cases Monday, four were in students and one was in an employee, while all six recoveries were students.

In all, there are 10 positive employees currently on campus and 25 positive students. There have been 597 total cases, the majority in students, and 562 recoveries.

No new surveillance test results were released after Dec. 8, according to the NIU COVID-19 online record.

As of Monday, Dec. 7, nine students tested positive among 699 tests conducted last week, a 1.3% positive rate. For the week of Nov. 16, the previous full week of surveillance testing, there were eight positives in 739 tests, a rate of 1.1%.

The school's quarantine and isolation use fell to 1.8%, down from 3.1% Friday, Dec. 11.

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 were transitioned to remote if able to do so, although some courses could remain in person, with the campus and residential halls still open for students. 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 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.

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