Results from Tuesday’s pooled saliva testing of Cayuga Hall residents have come back negative. The precautionary quarantine has been lifted.
A few residents chose to go home before the latest round of tests and have been informed that they will need to bring a negative test result before returning to campus. A couple of other students who missed the latest round will precautionarily move into South Hall (our designated quarantine and isolation facility) until they are tested and results come back negative.
At this time, there is no clear indication why last week’s wastewater testing of Cayuga Hall showed a “detectable, but not quantifiable” level of the virus. It is possible a guest used the facilities, or that a resident was once infected and now recovered and is still shedding remnants of the virus.
We will continue our twice-weekly central wastewater testing and our additional building-specific wastewater testing once a week. We will also continue our regular schedule of pooled saliva testing of students, aiming for between 250 and 500 tests per week. Employees begin pooled saliva testing next week as well.
It is essential that everyone continue to monitor their symptoms and use the daily health check app. Please continue to wear your masks properly, covering your face and nose, while also maintaining physical distance from others. SUNY system has heightened consequences now for those who have parties or otherwise violate safety standards that could jeopardize the community or send us into a period of remote-only learning.
If you would like to learn more about wastewater testing, there is a great news clip CBS News did with U. of Arizona. The CDC has a page about wastewater testing as well. Recently, CNY Central visited our campus to do a story about SUNY Morrisville's wastewater testing. We also have our “dashboard”, which shares some information about wastewater testing and links to the SUNY dashboard for overall data.
Thank you for your compliance and care, and your attention to participating in our testing and safety protocols.
If you have questions about your health, please contact the Student Health Center. If you have questions about conduct, please contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. If you have COVID-19-related questions or concerns, please use our online form.