DeKALB – Northern Illinois University reported 13 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday, matching a high set Monday since the university began reporting its numbers.
All 13 of the cases were reported in students, as total cases rose to 57 with 52 of those in students. Three total cases have recovered so far. The university welcomed students back to campus Aug. 19 and classes began Aug. 24.
On Wednesday, the school also began surveillance testing. This week, the school will test 60 students a day, upping that number to 125 starting next week. Results will be released weekly on Mondays.
Surveillance testing will allow NIU to assess potential virus spread and outbreaks more quickly, to better mitigate community spread on campus.
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.
NIU staff are encouraged to get tested via state testing sites or their health care provider on their own. Students living off campus in Greek housing and otherwise also are not required to get tested, although anyone experiencing symptoms is asked to remain at home.
Students living on campus can pay a $7.90 per credit hour health fee to utilize nasal swab testing services at Northwestern Medicine Student Health Center in the Health Services Building on campus.
Students living on campus were required to get tested for COVID-19 prior to move in, but periodic testing throughout the semester will be done a little differently, through surveillance testing, which is when a control group of the population are tested intermittently to more quickly assess realities of community spread.
Source: The Daily Chronicle
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