We have some initial results from this week’s wastewater and pooled saliva testing for COVID-19.
Thursday afternoon, we received wastewater testing results from samples taken Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Quantifiable levels were detected in Commons 1, Commons 2 and West Hall residence halls (the central plant samples showed the same).
Whenever a residence hall has shown the presence of the virus, we have followed up with a precautionary quarantine or “restricted movement” to limit residential students from potentially spreading the virus until we have had an opportunity to conduct pooled saliva testing and have those results returned.
Four residence halls – Commons 1, Commons 2, West Hall and Oneida Hall – are now in restricted movement until further notice.
During a period of restricted movement, students in designated residence halls:
- should stay in their rooms as much as possible
- where possible, should make alternative arrangements for classes and work to be completed remotely
- must properly wear face coverings (masks) when leaving the room, including to use bathrooms
- can pick up takeout-only food from Dining Services
- can be outdoors, with masks, within campus boundaries
- not be with more than one or two other people, outdoors only, and must remain at least six feet apart (if you can reach other by both reaching out your arms, you are too close)
Just this evening, we received partial results from a portion of Tuesday’s pooled saliva testing, indicating two positive pools. This means we likely have at least two more positive cases, which will be confirmed through retesting of the individual samples (reflex testing) in the positive pools.
Our pooled testing from Tuesday and Wednesday included students from Oneida Hall, commuters, and 20% of the residents from throughout other residence halls. SUNY Upstate and Quadrant Biosciences, who process our testing, have indicated they have a significant backlog and expect delays. Positive pools lead to reflex testing, which typically takes at least an additional day. It will likely be no sooner than this Sunday – and possibly even Monday or Tuesday – before we have all of the results from this current week’s testing.
Pooled saliva testing will continue next week, and students needing to participate will receive more detailed instructions ahead of time.
Daily updates on the college’s COVID-19 testing, quarantine, isolation and other data are available through the SUNY COVID-19 Tracker dashboard webpage. The SUNY COVID-19 Tracker reports data in a fixed 14-day window, with the current window starting Oct. 10. The college posts its latest wastewater data on its own webpage.
Among our students, we know 10 are currently positive. Three of those students are isolating on our campus, while seven are isolating off campus. We have a total of 72 students in mandatory quarantine, with the majority of those being off campus.
If you are a student with questions about your health, please contact the Student Health Center. Employees should contact their primary health care provider. For questions or concerns about staying home from work, please contact your supervisor and Human Resources.
If you have questions about conduct, please contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. If you have other COVID-19-related questions or concerns, please use our online form.