NIU reports one case of COVID-19 Friday to end week with lowest cases in two months – DeKalb Daily Chronicle

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DeKALB Northern Illinois University announced one new coronavirus case Friday, finishing off the week with just 14 new cases of the virus.

It was the lowest count since the week of Oct. 12, in which there were only 12 new cases.

The school announced one new recovery as well. Both the new cases and new recovery were in students.

In all, there are nine positive employees currently on campus and 27 positive students. There have been 592 total positive tests and 556 recoveries.

In surveillance testing results released Monday, nine students tested positive among 699 tests conducted last week, a 1.3% positivity 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 schools quarantine and isolation use remained at 3.1%.

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 werent 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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NIU reports one case of COVID-19 Friday to end week with lowest cases in two months - DeKalb Daily Chronicle