Pooled Surveillance Testing Continues to Help Keep Campus Safe
The University-wide pooled testing program is moving full steam ahead and continues to be instrumental in allowing our three campuses to remain open for in-person activities.
To date, nearly 4,400 individual samples have identified 37 pools with presumed COVID-19 positive individuals in the pool who were able to be safely isolated away from the campus community while they await diagnostic testing results.
In just the first month of program implementation, the RNA Institute and School of Public Health (SPH) announce they are working to increase the frequency of testing. Residential Life will be distributing another round of test kits to all resident students.
What Exactly is Pooled Testing?
Developed by the RNA Institute and SPH, the program provides a simple and non-invasive way to test the presence of the virus using a saliva sample. SPH previously explained that some people infected with the virus have mild or even no symptoms at all – but can infect others unknowingly. The program is specifically designed to detect the virus in these individuals, so that they can be isolated away from others who could potentially contract the virus and become very ill.
Participants spit into provided test tubes on an assigned date and drop the samples off at designated contactless stations. The RNA Institute then adds chemical reagents that, once heated, detects RNA signs of the virus using PCR based testing approach. All students who spend time on any of our three campuses (regardless of the reason or length of time spent on campus) must participate. Faculty and staff represented by UUP, CSEA and PEF will also participate in pooled testing. Test kits are available at the following locations:
- Uptown Campus, Campus Center Information Desks
- Downtown Campus, Richardson Hall, room 102
- Health Sciences Campus, George Education Center, room 100
Once you receive your kit, you will need to register it online and await further instruction via email. Once you are notified of your testing date, please follow the simple instructions to complete and drop off your sample. The University’s Contact Support Team from the Office of Emergency Management, which is comprised of staff and students confidentially reaches out to the individuals whose saliva sample tested positive to provide guidance and support.
“Taking swift action on potential cases is among the most important ways we prevent this virus from spreading” said Jayson Kratoville, Interim Director of CEHC’s National Center for Security & Preparedness. “If ‘UA Tracker’ pops up on your caller ID, answer your phone—you’re going to receive critical and time-sensitive information you need to keep yourself and others safe.”
Kratoville and SPH are leading a unit that crosses students into interdisciplinary roles while also gaining experiential learning in their chosen fields.
The Uptown Campus has an impressive 95 percent participation rate in kit registration among residence students and an increase in participation among our students residing downtown and elsewhere in the Capital Region will only keep our campus, and the greater community, safer and bring us one step closer to fulfilling our goal of staying on campus until the end of November. The program has already awarded two students with the #OneUAlbany Award, a $500 non-tuition award – all students who participate are automatically entered into a similar weekly drawing.
For more information about the pooled testing program, visit the website.