UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s COVID-19 dashboard has been updated to show the results of University-provided coronavirus testing at all campus locations through March 4. Over the last seven days at University Park, 5,093 total tests have been administered, resulting in 57 positive cases, for a total seven-day positivity rate of 1.1%. This includes 54 student positive results from 4,693 student tests performed (1.2% positivity rate) and three employee positives from 400 employee tests (0.8% positivity rate).
Testing at all other Penn State campuses over the last seven days has resulted in 16 total positive results — all among students — out of 1,470 total tests administered (1,345 student tests and 125 employee tests).
Since Feb. 28, eight students have tested positive for COVID-19 at Penn State Harrisburg. Utilizing University processes to detect and quickly respond to potential outbreaks, contact tracing has been conducted for all students who tested positive and close contacts of those cases, and impacted students have been placed in quarantine or isolation. Out of an abundance of caution, the University is conducting required rapid testing for all students who reside on the Harrisburg campus on Friday, March 5, and all students who reside off-campus are invited to participate as well. Any student who tests positive by rapid test will receive a confirmatory PCR test immediately after the rapid test and will be instructed about proper isolation procedures. Additionally, any student who has symptoms of COVID-19 can receive a test from the campus health center.
All students are urged to limit in-person interactions outside of their roommates or a small “pod” of friends as much as possible, and to avoid all large gatherings. Students also are reminded to follow all health guidelines related to COVID-19 mitigation, such as continuing to wear a face mask at all times in campus buildings, outdoors when you can’t be physically distant from others, and wherever required by law.
On March 1 the University resumed its required random testing program, which tests between 1% and 2% of the University’s on-campus population of students and employees each day. A breakdown of random versus on-demand testing data is available for each campus by selecting the test type on the left side of the dashboard.
Penn State also has walk-up/on-demand and symptomatic testing options in place to identify potential positive cases in a timely manner. University Park students are encouraged to take advantage of the walk-up COVID-19 testing being offered on campus if they are concerned that they may have been exposed to the virus. Student walk-up testing is available at the Hintz Family Alumni Center and Pegula Ice Arena from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. At the Commonwealth Campuses, testing processes are defined for each campus and are typically administered by the local health center or other designated area. Specific details and hours can be obtained through the campus Student Affairs office.
When a student does test positive, the University is conducting contact tracing and utilizing quarantine and isolation housing to help limit spread of the virus. At University Park there are currently 36 students in quarantine and isolation housing, representing 9% of the total 400-room quarantine and isolation capacity at Eastview Terrace. There are currently 45 students in quarantine and isolation housing at all other Penn State campuses.
For detailed updates and information about the University’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, visit Penn State’s official virus information website.