With zero positive tests reported on Wednesday (October 7), Boston College has experienced another successful week thus far in its COVID-19 testing with a total of seven positive cases reported out of 4,642 tests performed, including 3,361 tests of undergraduates. As a result, BC’s weekly positivity rate stands at 0.15%, compared to the Massachusetts state positivity rate of 1.0%.
Currently, there are 16 BC undergraduates in isolation—10 in University isolation housing and six recovering at home. A total of 166 undergraduates have recovered and returned to normal activities.
Since testing began on August 16, the University has conducted 49,782 tests of BC community members, including 33,974 tests of undergraduates, with a total of 188 positive cases, including 182 undergrads for a positivity rate of 0.37 percent. By comparison, Boston University has reported 141 total positive cases, Providence College 240, Northeastern University 109, and University of Notre Dame 798.
“This week’s testing results remain very promising,” 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 will 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 is performed Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout the semester in the MAC Courts in the Margot Connell Recreation Center. Testing results are posted upon receipt from The Broad Institute Tuesdays through Fridays 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%
University Communications / October 9, 2020