BOULDER, Colo. — The University of Colorado Boulder reported six positive COVID-19 cases as students returned to campus over the last week.
The positive tests came from a total of 588 tests conducted on campus from Aug. 11-17, according to university COVID-19 data. From March to August, the university reported 66 positive COVID-19 cases out of 845 tests.
Five of the tests were detected Monday. The campus conducts rapid tests using a saliva sample.
Students moving into dorms are required to provide the university with a negative COVID-19 test from within five days or test negative via a rapid test on campus. As of Tuesday, 2% of the school's dedicated quarantine space was being used.
“Currently were focusing on establishing process for using this test and others test during the fall semester,” CU spokeswoman Melanie Parra said. “We’re going to be setting up a program for testing of individuals randomly to try to find cases before there is an outbreak but also if we see a certain location or a group of people identified it as being at risk we can focus our testing to that location or group."
CU is offering a mix of in-person, remote and hybrid classes for the fall semester, which begins Monday.
The short-term goal is to make it through the fall semester without having to consider a shut-down, officials said. Much of that will be up to students following protocols. This new and simple test will add early detection to their efforts.
Masks are required on campus, and other physical distancing measures are being implemented.
At Colorado College in Colorado Springs, 155 students are in quarantine after a student tested positive for COVID-19. The student who tested positive had gone into a hallway in the dorm instead of staying in their room, university officals said. All of the students in the dorm are under quarantine now.
