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 confirmed seven cases of COVID-19 on both Evanston and Chicago campuses. A person in the Feinberg School of Medicine was the first confirmed case on Northwestern's Chicago campus Monday. One Evanston resident has died of COVID-19.

If you have questions, let us know. 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 April 3 at 1:00 a.m.
April 11 City News
The myth of the ‘great equalizer’: Preliminary data show black Evanston residents contract virus at higher rates
The novel coronavirus has upended life as many Americans know it. Spreading across the country like wildfire, it has affected nearly every state and territory, leading some to call the virus the “great equalizer.” However, new data have proven this is far from accurate. One disparity, among many, has become apparent: in Illinois, like other states, African Americans are disproportionately more likely to contract and die from COVID-19.
April 8 Campus News
Four contractors test positive for COVID-19; no contact with employees or students
Four contractors who visited a variety of campus buildings have tested positive for COVID-19, University spokesperson Jon Yates told The Daily in an email Friday.
April 8 Campus News
Northwestern reaches eighth case of coronavirus, first confirmed student case
A student living off campus is the seventh confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in Northwestern’s Evanston location, and the eighth total case connected to the University, according to a Monday update on their website. They are the first known student to have tested positive for the virus.
April 8 City News
As census self-response period opens, local organizations evaluate outreach methods during COVID-19
The 2020 census is now facing a possible undercount due to the pandemic, even though the bureau has extended the self-response period to August 14 and is taking other measures to increase participation. But Evanston and Chicago organizations are adapting plans to include as many people as possible in the census count.
April 8 Campus News
New RTVF classes added as several production classes are canceled
Spring Quarter classes began this week, and while the Radio/Television/Film department introduced new classes, several production classes were canceled due to the institution of remote learning.
April 8 City News
Retirement communities, home care facilities implement COVID-19 precautions
As of March 30, at least two dozen group living settings in suburban Cook County — including nursing homes and long-term care facilities — had reported one or more confirmed COVID-19 infections among residents and staff, according to public health officials.
April 8 Campus News
NU Declassified: Canceling Amid COVID-19
LISTEN: When Northwestern offered little guidance for the path ahead, student groups like Tufaan Entertainment were left to decide whether to cancel their events or risk everyone’s health in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois. NU Declassified takes an inside look at what this decision process looked like for the co-directors of Tufaan Entertainment.
April 7 City News
As COVID-19 shutters libraries statewide, EPL shifts to online programming
On March 13, Evanston Public Library temporarily closed its doors to the public for at least a month, marking the longest closure in the library’s history.
April 6 Campus News
Northwestern extends remote learning for rest of spring quarter
Northwestern has extended remote learning for the rest of Spring Quarter, University President Morton Schapiro wrote in a Monday night email. Students, faculty and staff were previously waiting until April 17 to hear from administrators about whether in-person classes would resume for the remainder of the quarter.
April 6 City News
Amid calls for housing relief, aldermen say city resources are limited
When the COVID-19 pandemic began disrupting incomes, Evanston residents turned to the city for support to keep up on rent and mortgage payments. However, aldermen are saying comprehensive relief to citizens is outside the means of the city.
April 2 Campus News
NU Declassified: The International Quarantine Life
LISTEN: After traveling home, international students faced different quarantine experiences depending on their home country’s policies. Hear the perspectives of French student Lucia Rossignol and Chinese student Banksy Yin in this latest episode of NU Declassified.
April 1 Campus News
Northwestern’s response to COVID-19
WATCH: See how Northwestern has responded to COVID-19.
March 31 Campus News
Northwestern to move to Pass/No Pass grading system for Spring Quarter
Northwestern University will be employing a Pass/No Pass grading system for undergraduate students during Spring Quarter, according to an email sent to students Tuesday evening.
March 31 Campus News
Northwestern reaches seventh confirmed case of COVID-19, first on Chicago campus
Northwestern’s Chicago campus had its first confirmed case of COVID-19, according to the University’s coronavirus case tracking webpage. A person in the Feinberg School of Medicine was announced Monday to have contracted the novel coronavirus.
March 30 Campus News
University announces it will pay dining employees in partnership with Compass Group
Northwestern announced plans to provide regular compensation and benefits to dining workers during Spring Quarter in partnership with Compass Group in a Monday release.
March 30 City News
“This virus isn’t going to go away” — Evanston organizations rush to assist the city’s vulnerable homeless population
As Illinois residents shelter in place and businesses close their doors, the city’s homeless population is left particularly vulnerable to the threat of COVID-19. In response, some Evanston organizations have restructured their traditional methods of support.
March 27 Campus News
Northwestern Prof. Jiaxing Huang receives NSF RAPID grant to develop antivirus barrier
Northwestern researcher and McCormick Prof. Jiaxing Huang received a grant to develop a medical face mask that deactivates the COVID-19 agent upon contact, according to a University release.
March 27 Campus News
Undergraduate summer study abroad programs canceled, GLO email says
Summer 2020 credit-bearing undergraduate study abroad programs scheduled between June and August have been canceled, according to an email obtained by The Daily.
March 27 City News
City Council votes to extend state of emergency until April 13
City Council voted unanimously to extend the local state of emergency for Evanston due to COVID-19 during a special Thursday meeting, which was held remotely via Zoom.
March 26 City News
First Evanston resident with COVID-19 dies
A resident who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 from the Three Crowns Park community died Sunday evening, officials from the community confirmed. This marks the first Evanston resident’s death from the virus.
March 26 Campus News
NU Declassified: To Stay or Not to Stay
LISTEN: “If I got stuck in China, I can’t do anything.” Amid closing borders and limited flights, Northwestern international students make the hard decision of whether to stay here or go home.
March 26 City News
Here’s what you need to know about coronavirus in Evanston
Though confirmed COVID-19 cases in Evanston aren’t nearing the numbers reported in New York, California and Washington, the novel coronavirus is affecting the Illinois suburb in a multitude of ways. Here’s what Evanston residents should know about the coronavirus.
March 26 Campus News
Refunds to be issued for housing, dining and fees
Undergraduate students that live on campus and have departed due to the switch to remote learning will receive refunds for housing, dining and fees for Spring Quarter, said an email to students Thursday evening.
March 24 City News
Coping with “the new normal”: local wellness leaders weigh in
Local leaders in health, wellness and spirituality say the losses and isolation associated with COVID-19 will likely leave Evanston residents in shock, but intentional planning, movement and mindfulness might help them adapt.
March 20 City News
Gov. Pritzker issues “shelter-in-place” order, effective Saturday
All 12.6 million Illinois residents are to “shelter in place” starting Saturday at 5 p.m. as part of the state’s latest effort to slow the COVID-19 outbreak, Gov J.B. Pritzker announced at a press conference.
March 20 Campus News
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.
March 19 Campus News
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.
March 19 City News
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.
March 19 City News
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.
March 19 City News
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.
March 19 Campus News
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.
March 18 Campus News
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.
March 18 City News
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.
March 16 Campus News
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.
March 15, 10:45 p.m. Campus News
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.
March 13, 6:15 p.m. Campus News
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]
March 13 City News
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]
March 12 City News
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]
March 12 City News
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.
March 12 Sports
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.
March 12 Campus News
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.”
March 12 Sports
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.
March 11 Campus News
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.
March 11, 6:30 p.m. Campus News
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.
March 11 Campus News
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.
March 11 City News
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]
March 10 Campus News
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.
March 5 Campus News
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.
March 4 Campus News
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.
Feb 5 City News
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.