Following recent advancements by Upstate Medical University in COVID-19 testing protocols, SUNY Broome will begin implementation of surveillance testing on Friday, September 11, 2020. The new testing requirement will ensure continuous testing of the campus community to help identify, trace, and contain the virus quickly. 

This week, testing will start with residential students. Additional testing will occur on a regular basis, and will include a wide range of students across campus. A random sample of residential and non-residential students will be tested biweekly.

How testing will work?

Testing will be conducted on campus using the recently-approved saliva diagnostic test. The test is rapid, pain-free, and can be administered by the individual themselves. Samples will be combined into one pool and analyzed together to test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Results are produced within 24-48 hours. 

A negative pool indicates that subjects within the group tested are presumed to be coronavirus-free. A positive test for the pool means at least one subject within the pool is positive for the virus. Each person would be retested to pinpoint positive individuals. 

Population to be tested

  • Both residential and non-residential students will be tested. 
  • Employees are encouraged to participate in the testing on a voluntary basis (details on how employees can sign up for a test will follow).

Procedures for testing

Students:

  • Participation is mandatory.
  • Students have been informed of the process.
  • Student “pools” will be randomly selected and notified of the testing date, time and on-campus location for testing.
  • 84 students will be tested biweekly (42% of the campus population) throughout the semester. 

Employees:

Employees may volunteer to be tested. Information will be provided soon on how to request an appointment time and will receive instructions before the test.

Questions?

Please contact eoc@sunybroome.edu

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