The sample for this study was a hypothetical cohort of 4990 college-age students without SARS-CoV-2 infection and 10 students with undetected asymptomatic cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Sample of Study Supporting Testing Every 2 Days for University Students


A modeling study by Paltiel, Zheng, and Walensky found that in order to control COVID-19 outbreaks with reasonable dormitory accommodations and costs, universities must test students every 2 days with a low sensitivity, high specificity test.

Syracuse University

- Implementing pre-emptive NAT testing before the start of the semester 
- Screening student population every two days with a low sensitivity, high specificity test
- Living arrangements for isolation of cases and quarantine of contacts
- Appointing administration and health care task forces for COVID-19 prevention and management 
- Extensive contact tracing of all infected individuals on campus and their contacts 
- Dedensification of residential arrangements, classrooms, and events 
- Enforcing personal hygiene protocol like mask-wearing and enforcing frequent disinfecting of any shared spaces
- Requiring students to quarantine for at least 14 days before the start of classes

Safety Measures for Re-opening Colleges/Universities during the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Paltiel, A. D., Zheng, A., & Walensky, R. P. (2020). Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Screening Strategies to Permit the Safe Reopening of College Campuses in the United States. JAMA Network Open, 3(7). doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.16818


Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Screening Strategies to Permit the Safe Reopening of College Campuses in the United States

- False positives and negatives in testing
- Students may treat negative results as a "ticket to party"

Learn Before

Related

Learn After