University Health Services reported 10 positive COVID-19 cases (including eight undergraduates) this week, out of 8,635 tests conducted, resulting in a continued low community positivity rate of 0.11%. The Massachusetts weekly positivity rate stands at 1.9%.
Currently, there are 18 BC undergraduates in isolation—13 in University isolation housing and five recovering at home. A total of 230 undergraduates have recovered and returned to normal activities.
Since testing began on August 16, University Health Services has conducted 87,864 tests of BC community members with a total of 261 positive cases reported. Among undergrads, UHS has conducted 64,326 tests with 248 positives. The University’s cumulative positivity rate stands at 0.29 percent. Within Massachusetts, Boston University has the highest number of cases among colleges and universities with 271 total positive cases. University of Massachusetts Amherst has reported 195 cases, and Northeastern University 187. Providence College has reported 271 cases, and the University of Notre Dame 1,271.
“We continue to have strong momentum in limiting the spread of the coronavirus on campus,” said Director of University Health Services Dr. Douglas Comeau. “This success is a credit to all members of the BC community who have carefully abided by our testing, contact tracing, and quarantine and isolation protocols.”
In addition to daily symptomatic testing conducted through University Health Services and The Broad Institute, asymptomatic testing is performed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, in the MAC Courts in the Margot Connell Recreation Center. Testing results are 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%
• 9,760 tests Week of October 12-18. Positivity Rate 0.25%
• 8,420 tests Week of October 19-25. Positivity Rate 0.17%
• 8,719 tests Week of October 26-November 1. Positivity Rate 0.20%
University Communications / November 6, 2020
