UAlbany’s COVID-19 pooled testing will monitor thousands on campus – Times Union

ALBANY The University at Albany announced on Wednesday the impending launch of new COVID-19 surveillance testing for the thousands of people on campus, testing that will be developed by the university's research arm, the RNA Institute.

The testing process is currently being piloted and will launch on Sept. 7.

"Clearly, if you look at our plan, if you look at our practices, if you look at our implementation, you look at our testing, it is a very robust system," said UAlbany President Havidn Rodrguez.

The tests which are being developed, conducted and diagnosed at UAlbany are not diagnostic, but rather "pooled testing." Those who are tested are notified whether they are a potential or presumed positive, then go in for a followup diagnostic test.

During the week of the Sept. 7 launch, researchers plan to conduct 600 tests. About 2,000 tests will be conducted the second week, and 5,000 per week from then on.

"The goal is to test everyone on campus at least three times students, faculty and staff," said RNA DirectorAndrew Berglund.

The tests will be mandatory for all those who are physically on campus.

In addition to surveillance testing, the university is having students, faculty and staff fill out symptom screeners every day.

The announcement comes the day after university officials announced a student on campus had tested positive for COVID-19, and had been self-isolating since Friday. Officials said students who were near the main fountain on campus Thursday night may have been exposed to coronavirus.

The university worked in collaboration with Albany County to conduct contact tracing after the positive diagnosis. Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said on Wednesday that 10 people have been identified so far as having had close contact with the student who contracted the virus.

"We all knew that it was not a matter of 'if,' it was a matter of 'when,'" Rodriguez said. "It's about having a robust plan."

Since classes resumed Monday, 58 percent have been conducted online, 36 percent in-person and the remainder have been hybrid, Rodriguez said.

The dorms have been at 57 percent occupancy and half of the university staff has been working remotely.

McCoy commended the university's plan, saying it worked and "everything that was in place did what it needed to do."

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatrasadded that the student did the right thing by getting tested and self-isolating.

"It's all working exactly the way it's supposed to work so we can control the beast which is COVID-19," he said.

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UAlbany's COVID-19 pooled testing will monitor thousands on campus - Times Union