By this point in the semester, everyone on campus should more or less be used to the mask requirements and other protocols in place to try and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

We at The Daily Eastern News want to remind students that, even though things may feel somewhat normal on campus, it is important to continue to follow these rules and protocols throughout the semester.

Universities across the state of Illinois are struggling to deal with COVID-19 outbreaks. Bradley University in Peoria quarantined its entire student body Tuesday and converted to remote learning.

Illinois State University has had more than 1,300 positive tests since the semester began and have a seven-day positivity rate of 13.7 percent as of Wednesday.

Coles County is also currently at warning levels concerning positivity rate and cases per 100,000 people, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The positivity rate over the last week was 8.5 percent, above the 8 percent threshold. There were also 328 cases per 100,000, well above the target of 50 or fewer.

The only thing we can do on campus to prevent an outbreak is follow the protocols and be careful. Continue to wear masks properly, social distance as much as possible and stay away from large gatherings.

If we want to avoid becoming another Illinois university that is overcome by COVID-19, these are just things that we all have to do.