NMU Interim President Kerri Schuiling welcomed students back to campus from winter break on Jan. 11 in a campus-wide email. In this email, Schuiling warned the campus community of a new variant of COVID-19, Omicron XBB.1.5.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this new Omicron variant has grown exponentially during December in other regions of the U.S.  

“The Midwest is only now seeing an XBB.1.5 bump up in cases,” Schuiling said in the email. “It is important to know that state officials expect an increase in the number of cases in the days and weeks ahead.” 

In response to this expected rise of cases in the Midwest region, Northern will continue to monitor for surges and take appropriate action, according to Schuiling’s email. NMU is still offering vaccinations at the NMU Health Center, which can be contacted at (906) 227 – 2355. 

Students who test positive for COVID-19 should:

1. Email [email protected] with their name, NMU IN and local address.
2. Communicate with professors and supervisors about missing class or work.
3. Isolate for a minimum of 5 days. Students living in the residence halls will be offered a room in Spooner Hall and may leave on the 6th day if they do not have a fever or any remaining symptoms, but must wear a mask for a minimum of 5 days following their exit from Spooner Hall. 

COVID-19 resources are listed online at nmu.edu/safe-on-campus/. Students can also email [email protected] or call the COVID hotline at (906) 227 – COVI (2684).