Confirmed COVID-19 Case
March 20, 2020
The following letter from President S. Georgia Nugent was shared with the Illinois Wesleyan University community Friday afternoon.
Subject: Confirmed COVID-19 Case
To: The Illinois Wesleyan Community
From: President S. Georgia Nugent
This afternoon, the McLean County Health Department reported to the media that a person has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) with connections to Illinois Wesleyan.
To maintain confidentiality, MCHD was unable to provide additional information to us, but offered assurance that anyone who has had direct contact with this individual has been notified.
We have subsequently learned that the individual is not an Illinois Wesleyan student, faculty or staff member, and they have not visited our campus recently. This is the first known case of COVID-19 involving an individual with contacts in our campus community.
Because the majority of our students are no longer on campus, and most of our employees are now working remotely, we have significantly reduced the risk for transmission of COVID-19 on campus. However, it is imperative that all members of our University community continue to practice social distancing, monitor their health, and follow CDC guidance pertaining to COVID-19.
Students on campus who don’t feel well should contact Arnold Health Services at (309) 556-3107 or an after-hours medical clinic (evenings and weekends). Students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to notify the University, to help us take every possible precaution to protect the health of the campus community.
The health and safety of our community is our top priority. The latest information regarding Illinois Wesleyan’s response to COVID-19 will continue to be assembled at www.iwu.edu/covid19, and we invite any questions or concerns you may have via covid19response@iwu.edu. The McLean County Health Department can be reached at: (309) 888-5450.
