Boston College experienced another successful week of testing through October 9, with a total of 9 positive cases of COVID-19 reported out of 6,581 tests performed, including 4,937 tests of undergraduates. As a result, BC’s weekly positivity rate stands at 0.13%, compared to the Massachusetts state positivity rate of 1.0%.
Currently, there are 16 BC undergraduates in isolation—12 in University isolation housing and four recovering at home. A total of 168 undergraduates have recovered and returned to normal activities.
Since testing began on August 16, the University has conducted 51,721 tests of BC community members, including 35,550 tests of undergraduates, with a total of 190 positive cases, including 184 undergrads for a positivity rate of 0.13 percent. By comparison, Boston University has reported 143 total positive cases, Providence College 240, Northeastern University 111, and University of Notre Dame 803.
“This week’s testing results were 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