Covering Coronavirus

This page will be regularly updated with information as Northwestern and Evanston respond to the international outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Follow Illinois' total number of confirmed cases here. Northwestern has announced multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the Evanston campus as of Tuesday afternoon. A Kellogg Global Hub employee was announced Friday evening as the first positive case.

If you have questions, let us know and if you want to share information about other developments or cancelations at Northwestern or throughout Evanston related to COVID-19, please reach out to us at campus@dailynorthwestern.com or through our Facebook or Twitter.

And if you’ve been following our coverage of COVID-19 as developments occur, consider making a donation to The Daily to help support our student journalism.

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Last updated March 20 at 8 p.m.

Northwestern moves to ‘essential’ staff, faculty and students only on campus
This shift does not affect undergraduate students currently living on campus, but applies to graduate students, postdocs, staff and faculty, according to University spokesperson Jon Yates.
Schapiro writes on NU community’s “resilience and empathy” during COVID-19 pandemic in Tribune column
In a Chicago Tribune column, University President Morton Schapiro described the “scramble” among college administrators to keep his community safe while also “protecting our educational values.”
Northwestern researcher Adia Benton talks domestic and global COVID-19 response, “flattening the curve”
The event, hosted by the NU Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, touched on anthropological perspectives on the novel coronavirus pandemic. Annelise Riles, executive director of the Buffett Institute, said their mission is to bring perspectives from a cross-disciplinary standpoint to address the “greatest global challenges.” At the moment, she said, the COVID-19 outbreak is a collectively “outstanding” global challenge.
Seniors’ last quarter on campus cut short due to COVID-19
Commencement and graduation ceremonies have also been on seniors’ minds. Among Big Ten schools, nine institutions have postponed commencement, while five — including Northwestern — have not annonuced any changes. Most of the schools, however, do not operate on the Quarter System — and thus had ceremonies scheduled for May.
City addresses coronavirus cases at Three Crowns Park
The Chicago Tribune first reported the cases Wednesday at Three Crowns Park. As of Wednesday afternoon, 48 hours after the facility received confirmation that multiple residents had the virus, executive director Phil Hemmer said he had not yet been given any more tests, despite reaching out to the Evanston Health and Human Services Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health, according to the Tribune.
NorthShore University HealthSystem postpones all non-emergency surgeries
NorthShore University HealthSystem will delay all non-emergency surgeries and services to focus its resources on emergency situations and the reduction of the spread of COVID-19, the hospital network announced in a Wednesday tweet.
Social distancing protocol forces small businesses to make tough calls
On the last day of dine-in service Monday, 10Q Chicken general manager Andrew Oh said sales are projected to plunge in the near future. That day, he was running 10Q Chicken’s Evanston location with a “skeleton crew” of only a few staff members.
Evanston childcare centers take extra precautions
Petra Guy, owner of Little Feet Child Care and Preschool, said the preschool’s activities, including playing games and taking walks outside, have not changed much, but that everyone has become more diligent in washing hands. The childcare center was also doing more thorough cleanings, he said.
Graduate students encounter difficulties after final exams aren’t canceled
Joshua Shelton’s petition to Provost Jonathan Holloway, Vice Provost for Academics Lindsay Chase-Lansdale, and The Graduate School Dean Teresa Woodruff garnered nearly 350 signatures on the same day it was published. It states the University asked all instructors to make undergraduate final assessments optional, but had not extended this to The Graduate School.
Timeline: Tracking Northwestern’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the Evanston and Chicago campuses
As we continue to cover Northwestern and Evanston as the coronavirus pandemic worldwide continues to grow, we’ll be updating this page to help you keep track of the confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 on the University’s Evanston and Chicago campuses. All individuals were self-isolating after their tests, and NU officials will notify anyone who has been in contact with, or in close proximity to, anyone who has tested positive.
City Council passes resolutions, ordinance to support residents during COVID-19
The meeting only had six attendees — Mayor Steve Hagerty, interim city manager Erika Storlie and city clerk Devon Reid were present, along with another city staff member, a reporter and a resident. Aldermen participated electronically in an attempt to practice social distancing and keep themselves safe from the virus, also known as COVID-19.
University library buildings on Evanston, Chicago campuses to close until at least April 17
The only exception will be the Galter Health Sciences Library, which will be open with reduced hours and only accessible to the Feinberg School of Medicine community.
Northwestern reaches fifth confirmed case of COVID-19 on Evanston campus
"Total, there have been three confirmed cases in the Kellogg Global Hub, along with one in Annenberg Hall, home to the School of Education and Social Policy and one in the Office of the Registrar. Northwestern's Chicago campus has had no confirmed cases of as Tuesday night.
NorthShore University HealthSystem to screen all visitors for COVID-19 risk factors
"The hospital system is currently treating patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, and on Monday implemented visitor restrictions to help stop the spread of the virus.
Provost Holloway announced all undergraduate finals would be optional. Some professors still plan to require them.
"After Northwestern’s Sunday night announcement that all undergraduate final assessments would be optional in light of growing concerns around the international outbreak of the novel coronavirus, some Northwestern professors are pushing back and emailing students in their classes to say they’re still requiring them.
U7+ Summit postponed due to coronavirus concerns
Representatives from more than 45 institutions attended the U7 Alliance’s inaugural summit in 2019, and more than 50 have been invited this year. Held in the Paris Institute of Political Studies, last year’s inaugural U7+ Summit hosted universities which represented more than 2 million students globally. This year's was scheduled for June.
Holloway: Professors asked to make all undergraduate final assessments optional
"Given the rapidly disintegrating travel options, the confirmed appearance of COVID-19 on campus, and the incredible stress that everyone is trying to manage, we are now asking all instructors to make undergraduate final examinations and assessments optional," Holloway wrote to students Sunday night.
Hagerty declares local emergency in Evanston as COVID-19 concerns continue
This decision comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s announcement of a national state of emergency on Friday, and earlier Sunday afternoon Gov. J.B. Pritzker closed all Illinois restaurants and bars — with the exception of curbside pick-up, delivery and drive-thru orders — from the end of March 16 until March 30. [Leer en español]
Evanston polling places increase coronavirus precautions ahead of Tuesday’s primary
Polling places in Evanston are preparing for the possible congregation of people on Tuesday that could spread the disease. Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2515 Central Park Ave., has already planned several cleaning procedures and to keep the building closed off, except for one set of restrooms and the actual area where the voting booths will be located.
Pritzker announces statewide K-12 school closures until end of March
All schools, both public and private, will be closed across the state from Tuesday until the end of the month in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced in a Friday press conference.
Evanston in “mitigation stage” of COVID-19 response
Evanston has left the “containment stage” of responding to the novel coronavirus and has now entered the “mitigation stage,” Health and Human Services Director Ike Ogbo said. This means that even if the virus cannot be contained, the city is working to slow its spread to possibly allow for more medical advances against the virus to be made.
Northwestern staff member in Office of Registrar tests positive for novel coronavirus in second case on Evanston campus
The staff member is self-isolating off campus. An employee in the Kellogg School of Management’s Global Hub was announced to have tested positive for the virus Friday evening. [Leer en español]
Students petition to make all final exams take-home or online
Sent Friday morning, the letter expressed students’ current stress in light of the COVID-19 outbreak and the danger in-person finals could pose if conducted under their current conditions. Students asked for all in-class finals to either be completely optional or provided online.
University announces first confirmed case of COVID-19, Kellogg Global Hub employee tested positive
According to the email, the staff member is self-isolating off campus. Northwestern medical teams and Kellogg administrators are also reaching out to students, faculty and staff who may have had direct contact with the employee and asking them to self-isolate. [Leer en español]
Spring Quarter study abroad programs canceled, graduate students abroad told to “reassess” travel
Undergraduate students were informed that they would not be charged any study abroad program fees for Spring Quarter. The Global Learning Office said they would refund flight costs in cases of a budget airline, where a refund or credit is not issued for the cancellation of an international flight.
D65 to close all buildings, implements online learning through April 12
All of the district’s schools and centers will close Monday and begin online learning in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. Buildings that serve as election sites will still open Tuesday, but all other activities and events are canceled until further notice, according to the release. [Leer en español]
Holloway: Faculty strongly encouraged to not hold in-person finals, large gatherings in small spaces canceled
In addition to encouraging professors to hold finals remotely or as take-home exams, Holloway wrote that students “are not required to attend in-person exams.” According to the email, faculty and students will receive more information down the road about options for completing Winter Quarter finals.
ETHS to transition to online learning plan through April 12
All practices, events and activities for students on the high school’s campus are canceled, except for the post-event season contests for the Scholastic Bowl, Speech and Debate and the boys’ basketball team. [Leer en español]
Evanston senior activities canceled indefinitely
The Levy Senior Center team said these cancelations are designed to limit the spread of coronavirus to Evanston’s senior population. People aged 62 and over make up about 15 percent of Evanston’s population, according to Evanston’s 2010 Census General Profile.
EPL cancels programming through the end of April, but plans to remain open
As of now, the library will remain open to the public, and EPL plans to update community members with any changes to that schedule. However, some changes have been made within EPL’s facilities to minimize risk of transmission of the coronavirus.
NCAA, Big Ten cancel all athletic competition until the 2020-21 academic year
The international outbreak of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, continues to impact the college sports scene, and Thursday afternoon, the fallout expanded far beyond basketball. The NCAA and the Big Ten announced they would cancel all upcoming games, including those that take place after the academic year concludes. The conference also announced a memorandum on all on- and off-campus recruiting efforts.
Medill cancels all Spring Quarter Journalism Residencies
“Due to the abundance of concern regarding the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Provost’s office has advised us that the Journalism Residency should not proceed in spring,” school dean Charles Whitaker wrote in the statement. “Our primary concern is that you may begin the term in a residency but find it canceled mid-way through, with no way to make up the work or maintain your full-time student status.”
Explainer: How does COVID-19 impact Northwestern athletics?
As COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, prompts the cancelation of several NCAA men’s basketball conference tournaments and the suspension of the NBA season, Northwestern athletics has no update on the status of its upcoming athletic events.
Big Ten Conference cancels Men's Basketball Tournament
"As you make these decisions, which are not easy, you have to always ask yourself, What is the right thing to do? I just felt very strongly that the right thing to do for our student-athletes and for our fans and for the media and for our families, our coaches, our administrators, was to make sure that we cancel the Big Ten men's basketball tournament," Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren said.
City postpones State of the City Luncheon, Robert Crown Open House due to novel coronavirus
The events, which were scheduled for March 13 and March 14, respectively, were canceled as a “precautionary measure,” according to the release. In addition, the city has also stopped all classes at the Levy Senior Center beginning on Thursday, March 12 until further notice to protect senior members of the Evanston community.
NU-SHIP to waive deductible and co-insurance costs for diagnostic testing related to COVID-19
Aetna will offer zero co-pay telemedicine visits for the next 90 days, and cost-sharing will be waived for all video visits, according to the email. The Student Insurance Office said they “highly encourage” students to utilize Northwestern University Health Service before the telemedicine service.
Northwestern extends Spring Break, moves classes online for first three weeks of Spring Quarter
University President Morton Schapiro announced Spring Break will be extended by one week and Spring Quarter classes will be held remotely for at least three weeks in a Wednesday afternoon statement to the Northwestern community as concerns continue to grow over the international outbreak of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus.
Wildcat Days, prospective student programming through April 18 canceled
In the email sent to tour guides obtained by The Daily, tour guide program director Hillary Lundberg wrote that the cancelation includes information sessions, campus tours and Purple Previews, the school’s program for high school students to shadow undergraduates for a day. Wildcat Days, Northwestern regular decision admitted student program Wildcat Days, scheduled to take place April 13 and April 20, will also be canceled.
Northwestern lacrosse match scheduled for March 29 against Penn canceled
The Ivy League Presidents announced a decision to cancel all spring athletics practice and competition through the remainder of the academic year Wednesday afternoon, which included Northwestern's game against the University of Pennsylvania.
Northwestern-Minnesota game in Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament to continue as scheduled; Women's basketball cancels 3/16 NCAA Tournament selection watch party
"At this time the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament will continue to be held as scheduled. Postgame media availabilities will continue to take place at the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, however they will be held in larger designated areas of Bankers Life Fieldhouse in lieu of team locker rooms," the conference announced in a statement.
Evanston businesses increase precautions as coronavirus spreads
While The Wall Street Journal reports that economists aren’t forecasting a drawn-out recession, the global economy has already taken a beating, with China’s exports falling 17 percent and its imports falling four percent in the January-February period.
NorthShore University HealthSystem treating one patient for novel coronavirus
The health system's statement did not specify which facility the patient is being treated at, although it did say the patient is in stable condition. NorthShore has hospitals in Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park, Skokie and Chicago. [Leer en español]
Evanston, Illinois officials monitoring possible spread of coronavirus
On March 10, confirmed cases nearly doubled, jumping from 11 to 19 and prompting Gov. J.B. Pritzker to demand more tests be sent to states, according to NBC Chicago. Just a day before, he declared a disaster proclamation, which allows officials to tap into additional funds and resources, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Schapiro: No plans in place to cancel Spring Break, asks schools’ events to be postponed until April 15
University President Morton Schapiro said spring quarter is currently still planned to go on as scheduled, but the University is “evaluating various scenarios, including whether the timing of the quarter may need to be adjusted or whether classes need to be altered and delivered remotely” in a Tuesday email to the NU community.
NU-Q moves to online classes following Qatari goverment’s closure of schools, universities
All scheduled events at the Doha campus have been canceled until further notice, according to the statement, and all University-sponsored travel — both for students and school sponsored visitors — has been put on hold through April 30. Travel will be reassessed on April 15.
University announces coronavirus self-isolation policy
Based on guidance from the CDC, the University suggests seeking medical attention if students, faculty or staff develop these symptoms within the 14-day isolation period. Northwestern said it expects all students, faculty and staff who meet these criteria to self-isolate for two weeks prior to coming to campus.
Northwestern cancels Dance Marathon philanthropy event due to coronavirus concerns
The annual event drawing more than 1,000 student participants was canceled after being scheduled to take place March 6-8. Schapiro said in an email that “given the prolonged duration of Dance Marathon, the close proximity of dancers and the strain it puts on participants, health experts thought those in attendance could have been at greater risk for illness had the event continued as planned.
University cancels school-sponsored undergraduate and graduate Spring Break trips to international destinations
Though Winter Quarter is not the most popular time of year for Northwestern students to study abroad, the University’s decision to cancel international spring break travel affected more than 40 trips, according to University spokesperson Jon Yates.
No planned changes for Northwestern athletics despite coronavirus concerns
While a few other universities announced that they would not participate in games over the weekend of March 7-8, a men’s basketball’s home game against Penn State at Welsh-Ryan Arena went on as expected. A Northwestern athletic department spokesman told The Daily the department will work closely with the University to determine future plans for all athletic competitions.
City’s Human Services Committee discusses preparations for Coronavirus
Some aldermen raised concern with the Health and Human Services response, though, such as Ald. Peter Braithwaite (2nd), who asked Health and Human Services director Ike Ogbo about whether the city has loaded up yet on hand sanitizers, masks and other similar items. Ogbo said the city has not done so yet.
Feinberg research team identifies potential drug target in virus causing COVID-19
This protein, called Nsp15, helps COVID-19 replicate. The findings suggest that drugs previously in development to treat Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome could now be used to combat the novel coronavirus.
NU student sent home from Italy study abroad trip, self-quarantines upon return
A Weinberg sophomore was studying abroad for Winter and Spring Quarters in Florence, Italy through a Syracuse University affiliated program, but it was canceled, forcing her to evacuate the country. When she arrived home in Mississippi, Matrisciano said she had to start quarantining herself for potential exposure to COVID-1.
NU holds town hall for schools and units on coronavirus preparedness
In an email to the Northwestern community, University officials said they met with faculty and staff in a Feb. 27 town hall to help them prepare to address needs in their areas.
Coronavirus not a risk to Evanston, experts say
Robert Murphy, the executive director of Northwestern’s Institute for Global Health, said that worrying about the flu was more important than stressing about catching the coronavirus. He said typically, these viruses don’t mutate in the middle of the epidemic. However, he added that people should be proactive about any symptoms they might have.
Chinese students weigh in on reactions to coronavirus outbreak
Taya Carothers, an assistant director at the International Office, said that the University was unable to host forthcoming visits of Chinese scholars due to the temporary ban on international travel by the Chinese government. She added that there were also some recent Chinese alumni, who are in China and who cannot get out of the country.
University prohibits sponsored undergraduate travel to China due to Coronavirus outbreak
Luke Figora, senior associate vice president and chief risk and compliance officer, said the decision to prohibit University-sponsored travel was triggered by the escalation of government-issued travel warnings and restrictions. He said NU has a policy that restricts undergraduate-sponsored travel to countries beyond Level Three status.