April 12, 2022
Update on COVID-19: Trends moving in the right direction
As the SIU Carbondale Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, trends continue to move in the right direction.
According to data from on-campus tests and from SIH, the number of positive cases and hospitalizations remain low. Since Feb. 23, we have had three or fewer new positive cases for each day we tested on campus, including several days with no new positive cases. As the situation evolves, the EOC continues to monitor hospitalizations, the number of individuals using ICU beds, the positivity rate and the vaccination rate.
Vaccinations provide the best protection against serious illness and death. For more information about vaccines, visit vaccines.gov.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s executive order requiring weekly tests for employees and students who are not fully vaccinated remains in effect. (Students whose classes are fully remote are exempt.)
Although masks are optional in most spaces on campus, face coverings are still required in health care settings and on public transportation. Also note: Per the university’s agreement with the Faculty Association, if the instructor specified a mask requirement in their syllabus at the beginning of the spring ’22 semester, masks will still be required in that classroom and/or lab.
As the university approaches the future with cautious optimism, it will also be responsive to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Illinois Department of Public Health.
Updates will be posted at siu.edu/coronavirus. Questions may be directed to pandemicinfo@siu.edu.