Boston College's COVID-19 cases continue to decrease from the spike that occurred the week of September 7, with nine positive cases—all undergraduates—reported thus far this week out of a total of 6,587 tests, for a weekly positivity rate of 0.13%. The Massachusetts state positivity average has risen to 1.1%.
Consistent with its strategy of utilizing strategic asymptomatic surveillance testing to aggressively target close contacts of positive cases, the University increased its weekly testing capacity since September 14, focusing on individuals identified through contact tracing and areas on and off campus where positive cases were detected. Through today, more than 140 of the cumulative positive cases have been identified through the University’s contact tracing efforts.
Since testing began on August 16, the University has conducted 44,687 tests of BC community members, including 30,323 tests of undergraduates, with a total of 177 positive cases, including 174 undergrads. By comparison, Boston University has reported 129 total positive cases, Providence College 220, Northeastern University 98, and University of Notre Dame 770.
Currently, there are 43 BC undergraduates in isolation—17 in University isolation housing and 26 recovering at home. A total of 131 undergraduates have recovered and returned to normal activities.
“We remain pleased that the numbers continue to decline since the spike we experienced during the fourth week of testing, with this week’s numbers being especially promising” said Director of University Health Services Dr. Douglas Comeau. “We will continue to quickly identify and test 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 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%.
University Communications / October 2, 2020