Boston College continued to receive encouraging news in its COVID-19 testing with a total of 12 positive cases reported for the week of October 5–11, including nine undergraduates, out of 7,187 tests performed, (5,352 undergrads), resulting in a weekly positivity rate of 0.16%. The Massachusetts positivity rate stands at 1.1%.
Currently, there are 13 BC undergraduates in isolation—11 in University isolation housing and two recovering at home. A total of 174 undergraduates have recovered and returned to normal activities.
Since testing began on August 16, the University has conducted 52,327 tests of BC community members, including 35,965 tests of undergraduates, with a total of 193 positive cases, including 187 undergrads for a positivity rate of 0.37 percent. By comparison, Boston University has reported 145 total positive cases, Providence College 241, Northeastern University 118, and University of Notre Dame 813.
“Last week’s testing results were very encouraging,” said Director of University Health Services Dr. Douglas Comeau.
“We have good momentum, and we will continue our strategy of quickly identifying and testing individuals who are deemed to be close contacts of anyone testing positive, and follow our quarantine and isolation protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.”
In addition to daily symptomatic testing conducted through University Health Services and The Broad Institute, asymptomatic testing will be performed this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in the MAC Courts in the Margot Connell Recreation Center. Testing results will be posted the following day upon receipt from The Broad Institute on the Reopening BC website: bc.edu/reopen.
The weekly community test totals and community positivity rates since testing began are as follows:
• 7,681 tests Week of August 16-23. Positivity Rate 0.04%
• 10,127 tests Week of August 24-30. Positivity Rate 0.08%
• 4,322 tests Week of August 31-September 6. Positivity Rate 0.60%
• 2,972 tests Week of September 9-13. Positivity Rate 2.46%
• 4,639 tests Week of September 14-20. Positivity Rate 0.37%
• 8,359 tests Week of September 21-27. Positivity Rate 0.49%
• 7,040 tests Week of September 28-October 4. Positivity Rate 0.18%
• 7,187 tests Week of October 5-11. Positivity rate 0.16%
University Communications / October 13, 2020