Update on testing results

This message was sent to Resident Advisers to clarify the results of testing on Feb. 15 and 16.

Good Afternoon –

We wanted to provide you with an update on testing from last week (Feb. 15 and 16). Due to the severe winter weather, these tests were delayed in getting to our lab partner. The University expected these tests to be discarded due to the length of time between collection and arrival at the lab. Today, unexpectedly, the University began receiving results from those tests. Our partners in the Student Health Service are in active consultation with both our lab partner and with public health experts about the validity of these tests and how we move forward.

We are writing to you in the spirit of transparency and to help you understand our response to the small number of positive results from this batch of tests. Upon review by the Student Health Service, many of these students are already in isolation or quarantine, and those who are not have been contacted for additional testing. These students will be isolated at the University hotels until they are confirmed negative by a lab test. For those who are confirmed to be positive, our standard case investigation/contact tracing processes will be followed.

Continued adherence to our various safety measures, such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing, minimizes the risk of transmission within our communities. We believe the risk to our communities to be low from this situation. As always, the health of our community remains our top priority!

Stay well and enjoy the sunshine!