Pennsylvania State University: University Park students who may have recently traveled or interacted with individuals outside of their ‘pod’ encouraged to utilize walk-up testing

Penn State’s COVID-19 dashboard has been updated to show the results of University-provided coronavirus testing at all campus locations through March 18. Over the last seven days at University Park, 6,886 total tests have been administered, resulting in 199 positive cases, for a total seven-day positivity rate of 2.9%. This includes 188 student positive results from 6,004 student tests performed (3.1% positivity rate) and 11 employee positives from 882 employee tests (1.2% positivity rate).

Testing at all other Penn State campuses over the last seven days has resulted in eight total positive results (six students and two employees) out of 879 total tests administered (707 student tests and 172 employee tests).

With the recent uptick in positive cases at University Park, Penn State has moved quickly to conduct contact tracing to catch additional cases early, and impacted students have been placed in isolation or quarantine, as appropriate, to limit further spread of the virus. In addition, after seeing several positive cases in Earle, Hastings, Martin and Stone halls in the East Halls complex this week, the University, out of an abundance of caution, has advised all students living in these four residence halls to be tested for COVID-19 at the walk-up testing site at Pegula Ice Arena.

Penn State also is urging University Park students who have recently traveled, interacted with individuals outside of their “pod,” or believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to take advantage of free, walk-up coronavirus testing on campus. Walk-up testing for asymptomatic students is available at Pegula Ice Arena and the Hintz Family Alumni Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. University Park students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should continue to schedule testing appointments with University Health Services.

At University Park, there are currently 185 students in on-campus quarantine and isolation housing, representing 46% of the total 400-room quarantine and isolation capacity at Eastview Terrace. There are currently 18 students in quarantine and isolation housing at all other Penn State campuses.

Community members are reminded of the need to continue to follow all public health guidelines that are in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, particularly as the weather begins to improve and more individuals find themselves engaging in outdoor activities. This includes:

Wearing a face mask at all times in campus buildings, and outdoors when you can’t be physically distant from others.