BOURBONNAIS – Olivet Nazarene University is on the heels of ‘another major spike’ on campus. A warning was sent out to students Thursday by ONU President John Bowling alerting the campus community.
“Our latest numbers indicate another major spike is developing,” University President John Bowling said in an email to students Thursday. “If the numbers continue to climb, we will be faced with some difficult options.”
Bowling said he knows students have been working very hard throughout the semester to manage risks surrounding the pandemic.
“We have done well and that has enabled Olivet to remain open with on-campus classes. However, the entire nation and the Midwest, in particular, is experiencing a dramatic increase in new cases.” Bowling added in a statement, asking students to limit off-campus visits and limit contacts in the community.
As of Thursday, Olivet’s case numbers had risen to 31 after dipping to as low as 18 last week. The University’s most active cases reported at one time was 41 in October.
“This has been a difficult semester – but we have weathered the storm, thanks to your cooperation,” Bowling told students Thursday.
Since Monday, 467 newly confirmed cases have been announced in the Kankakee community. Earlier Thursday, Bradley School District 61 and one Bourbonnais school announced both would go remote through November 30th due to COVID-related concerns.
Illinois Department of Public Health officials reported a record 9,935 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, including 97 additional deaths.
