The latest confirmed case of COVID-19 in Jackson County is an SIU student.
The Jackson County Health Department reported the case Thursday, saying the patient is a male in his late teens who is in "fair" condition, and who apparently caught the virus while visiting the Chicago area.
Later in the day, Southern Illinois University alerted the campus community that the case was a student who lives in West Campus housing. Officials say he is isolated on campus, and anyone who came in contact with him is being identified and urged to self-isolate themselves.
The health department and university say they're working to identify anyone who may have had contact with the patient.
Faculty at SIUC are teaching the second half of the spring semester remotely, but the university did not shut down its residence halls due to the pandemic. Leaders say the high number of international students, along with the fact that most students are in single rooms, led to the decision.
