2nd Coronavirus Case At Northwestern Announced

EVANSTON, IL — A second person at Northwestern University has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to reports. That patient is isolating at home.

CBS reported that person only had limited interaction with others. According to a Fox32 report, the employee works at the Office of the Registrar and that they were last on campus on March 12.

The first case of coronavirus at Northwestern, a staff member at the business school, was announced Friday.

That staff member, who works at the Kellogg School of Management's Evanston campus, is self-isolating off-campus, according to Craig Johnson, Northwestern's senior vice president for business and finance.

Business school leadership and Northwestern medical teams are tracing the employees recent close contacts and asking people to self-isolate according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus strain, and university policy.

The university previously announced a plan to extend spring break and shift to remote learning. Northwestern students will not be required to attend in-person final exams.

Related:

• Coronavirus United States: Update For Monday, March 16
• All Illinois Schools Closed Over Coronavirus
• Northwestern University Reports 1st Confirmed Coronavirus Case
• Deerfield, Highland Park Schools Close To Combat Coronavirus
• Illinois Colleges Move Online, Extend Spring Break To Combat Coronavirus

"Each of us needs to do what we can to keep ourselves and our fellow Evanstonians healthy," Hagerty said in a letter to the community. "Now, maybe you're thinking, 'I'm young, I'm healthy, I don't need to worry.' Statistically, that's true. But I want you to think about your grandparents, parents, guardians, beloved aunt or uncle, neighbor, or anyone over the age of 60; those most at risk, along with others whose immune or respiratory system is compromised."

To counter the spread of the virus, Hagerty asked every member of the community to work to reduce the stress on the health care system by practicing good hygiene and social distancing. Volunteer medical and non-medial professionals may also join the Evanston Medical Reserve Corps to support the city's health department and emergency personnel.

"Please understand that if we successfully adopt the strategy above, we will contribute to 'flattening the curve,'" Hagerty said. "As a result, lives in our community for those most at-risk will be saved from illness or more serious complications. While we may not know every person saved, realize they could be our parents, grandparents, child, friend, or neighbor."