The COVID-19 coronavirus. (Courtesy Center for Disease Control)
After just six days of on-campus interaction, the University of Colorado Boulder has already begun to test students positive for COVID-19. As of Saturday, August 22, the university reports that it has conducted more than 2,420 tests. According to the university�s �COVID-19-ready dashboard,� 16 of those tests were positive.�
In contrast, the university claims it conducted less than 850 tests between March and August, as coronavirus forced the school to move its classes online. 66, or 7.76%, of those tests were positive; a substantially larger percentage than the current test-to-positive result ratio of 0.66%.��
However, the university�s statistics raises another issue; these positive tests have taken up 2.4% of the university�s quarantine space, according to the utilization rate listed on the dashboard.
On Monday, August 24th, the university updated the site, saying that, “We�re starting the semester with approximately 250 beds set aside for isolation, and about 2.4% of the spaces are currently occupied. All students who moved into the residence halls had a negative COVID-19 test.”
The university�s website reads, �We have a limited number of living spaces for isolation or quarantine for affected students who live on campus. Resources for meals, medical attention and academic accommodations are available.�
They do not list any contingency for if the isolation space fills up.
This story will be updated.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Henry Larson at [email protected].�
