A University of Idaho team of researchers looking for the presence of COVID-19 in wastewater found the virus in two samples from UI residence halls last week.
According to an email from UI President C. Scott Green and Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Torrey Lawrence to Moscow-based UI faculty and staff, eight samples of on-campus living areas were taken with the help of facilities staff. The university will continue to test wastewater twice a week, the email stated.
“While we expected to find some level of the virus due to prior-known positives (those who had the virus earlier this year), out of an abundance of caution we will test all students in those two residence hall areas,” the email stated.
On Saturday, the affected students were informed of the re-test, reminded to follow safety measures and told to look for testing details. All results from this re-test will be available by Friday, the email stated.
“Public Health confirmed that quarantine is not necessary for these students; however, we have asked them to participate in their courses via remote delivery where possible and we ask faculty to support them with these requests,” the email stated. “As before, any student who tests positive will be contacted by a physician and Public Health and instructed to isolate. Contact tracing will follow.”
In addition to the re-test for these students, all UI employees in Whitman County were offered additional COVID-19 testing and random samples of students in Housing and Residence Life, Greek Life and off-campus housing were invited to participate in additional testing.
“We will continue to invite students, faculty and staff to participate in this testing,” the email stated. “If you receive an email request, please consider participating.”
Questions about UI COVID-19 procedures can be sent to [email protected].
Lex Miller can be reached at [email protected]