University of Idaho aims to continuously test students for COVID-19 throughout this semester. To continue monitoring cases after initial testing, students have been subjected to random surveillance testing.
“The general surveillance testing will happen between now and Thanksgiving break,” Special Assistant to the President Toni Broyles said. “Those asked to test each week were randomly selected, and it will be a different group each time.”
The random testing is divided between those employees and students living on Greek row, in the residence halls and off campus. Randomly selected groups receive an email with instructions on how to participate in the testing.
Dean of Students Blaine Eckles has been working with students and watching test results come in.
The Dean of Student’s Office receives information three times a day pertaining to student test results. Students who receive positive tests will receive word from either Public Health – Idaho North Central District (PH-INCD) or the university, according to Eckles. Previously, students were often contacted by healthcare practitioners.
“The numbers have reached a point where (PH-INCD) has given us guidance to go ahead and call once we have that information so we can identify those individuals and get them relocated,” Eckles said.
Students living on campus are moved to an isolation unit. A registration form collects basic information, like food preferences, to better accommodate students.
UI arranges for students to be picked up from their living space to their designated quarantine location.
COVID-19 tests are done at the Student Recreation Center. According to Broyles, testing is no different for staff.
“Same as students, there is not a different process for employees,” Broyles said.
According to Broyles, most swabbing will be done at the Student Recreation Center on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If those days do not work, people can get scheduled for drive-thru testing instead.
COVID-19 Project Manager Seth Vieux will work with employees or students to schedule drive-thru testing at Gritman’s Martin Wellness Center.
Questions about surveillance testing can be sent to [email protected].
Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq.