New testing center now available at USU, case numbers dwindling
Utah State University announced yesterday that it was expanding COVID-19 testing for employees and students at the Logan Main campus. The news came the same week USU saw its lowest COVID case count in weeks.
According to the press release, USU’s new testing site is Maverik Stadium. The stadium is right across from Aggie Village.
Testing is free to both students and employees and is funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
USU has already been doing testing at the Student Health and Wellness Center. However, according to public information officer Emilie Wheeler, USU is now able to process tests in its own labs.
“We have a special certification to run tests in the USU Veterinary Diagnostic Lab,” Wheeler said. “Before that we had to send the tests elsewhere.”
Wheeler said it took several months for USU to get certified to run tests on its own campus.
The new testing site will also allow around 180 cases to be processed a day. This will make it easier for those who do not have symptoms to get tested.
“It depends on each day’s case load,” Wheeler said, “but more available testing means that people without symptoms could be seen almost immediately.”
She also said individuals can expect to get test results back within 24-48 hours.
Individuals who have COVID symptoms will still fill out the COVID questionnaire. After the questionnaire is received, USU will pre-approve the individual for a rapid test. Symptomatic individuals will be asked to stay at home until they receive negative test results.
Students and employees who do not have symptoms can schedule their test through Aggie Health. Anyone who has come in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID will be asked to wait five to seven days after last contact before being tested.
Last week, the USU community had 324 active COVID cases. Earlier this week, the number of active cases fell below 200. After 15 new cases were added today, the number now sits at 210.
This is the first time since USU began its fall semester that the number of COVID-19 cases has decreased from a previous week.
@cripe_taylor