University saw 50 percent decrease in COVID-19 cases

A technician at the RNA Institute analyzes a test tube with saliva in it.
More than 95,000 saliva samples were analyzed at the RNA Institute this semester.

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 25, 2021) – The spring semester was an undeniably challenging one, but there is a major success that all Great Danes played a part in: the University saw an over 50 percent decrease in the percentage of presumptive positive cases in the UAlbany pooled surveillance testing program.

As a result of the diligence of students, faculty and staff, there were roughly the same number of positive cases this semester as in the fall semester – but with over double the amount of tests conducted. Since January 25 of this year, the RNA Institute has analyzed 95,013 individual surveillance tests – returning 426 presumptive positives (a 0.45 percent positivity rate). In comparison, during the fall 2020 semester there were 45,765 surveillance tests conducted with 434 presumed positives (a 0.94 percent positivity rate).

Though we all need to remain cautious through the summer by getting vaccinated and abiding by UAlbany, state and national public health measures, this is a big step in the right direction towards resuming a sense of normalcy, said Kevin Wilcox, Associate Vice President for Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance.

“These results have nothing to do with luck and everything to do with the great work of our students, faculty and staff this semester,” said Wilcox. “We know that this semester wasn’t easy and there is still work to be done, but we are proud of our campus community. These results are a good sign as we look forward to the fall semester and show that compliance with public health measures truly work.”

Governor Cuomo recently announced that students at SUNY and CUNY colleges and universities will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before arriving to campus this fall, contingent on final approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a COVID-19 vaccine. While the University is awaiting additional guidance on this mandate, more information can be viewed in a recent email that was sent to campus.

For more information about plans and guidelines regarding the ongoing pandemic, visit the UAlbany COVID-19 website.