IWU reports 10 additional coronavirus cases

Posted on August 20, 2020
Illinois Wesleyan University
IWU officials said the outbreak is related to off-campus social gatherings where the consistent use of masks and physical distancing did not occur, a violation of university protocols. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Ten more students from Illinois Wesleyan University have tested positive for coronavirus.

The university said nine of the new cases are related to a recent outbreak which involved several off-campus social events the weekend before classes started. The outbreak now includes 19 students, but those who were at the social gatherings or in close contact are still awaiting test results, so the outbreak number could continue to increase, according to IWU.

Of the nine new cases, seven students live off-campus and two reside in university-owned housing. Some of the students have reported COVID symptoms, while many are asymptomatic.

A 10th student who had not yet arrived to campus tested positive at baseline and has no connection to the outbreak, according to the school.

COVID-19 Cases Among Illinois Wesleyan Students:

  • Total positive cases confirmed during universal baseline testing (all students tested when they first arrived to campus): 10
  • Total positive cases confirmed through community spread: 19 (17 living in non-University owned housing, 2 living in University-owned housing)
  • Total positive cases (baseline + community spread): 29

The university said all students who tested positive are either returning home, staying in off-campus housing to isolate, or are isolating off campus in university-provided quarantine space.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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