Southern Illinois University Carbondale is updating its COVID-19 reporting, to include a website that tracks cases on- and off-campus.
University Spokesperson Rae Goldsmith says they heard from people concerned about a lack of information, and worked with health leaders to make the data more clear.
"We have just worked with the Jackson County Health Department to break out numbers, and verify numbers, of faculty, staff, and students who have been impacted. That doesn't necessarily mean that they've been on campus, but they have a positive COVID-19 test. And we will be reporting those numbers on the COVID website."
The data will be updated weekly.
Goldsmith says SIU is working closely with the Jackson County Public Health Department - which is in charge of identifying positive cases and conducting contact tracing to find people who might need to be tested.
"We can provide, if it's an employee for example, a work schedule. If it's a student, we can provide the courses the student is in. But you'll be notified directly if there is any concern that you've been exposed to COVID-19."
Currently, three off-campus students are isolating because of a positive test. Goldsmith says on-campus students who test positive will be moved to a separate area where they'll receive food and health support. All students who must isolate will also receive academic help to make sure they don't fall behind in their classes.
