Scientists and researchers from the University of Georgia’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories recently adapted a COVID-19 saliva-based test.
“Everybody has worked together like they never have before, sharing information, sharing data and sequences, which has allowed us to start really with diagnostic tests to know what the virus was,” said Susan Sanchez, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Georgia.
Sanchez, section head of microbiology and molecular biology in UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory, and Jesse Hostetter, the Barry G. Harmon Professor of Pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the executive director of the Tifton and Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories, were guests on Friday’s edition of “Closer Look.”
Cases of COVID-19 at the University of Georgia have dropped significantly, falling 35 percent from the previous week among faculty, staff and students.
Reports of COVID-19 at UGA hold steady
February 3, 2021
Reports of positive cases of COVID-19 among faculty, staff and students at the University of Georgia held steady last week, both in terms of total cases and the positivity rate.
Overall, 181 individuals reported positive tests through the DawgCheck system for January 25 – 31 slightly down from last week’s total of 190. Of those, 133 were students, 45 were staff, and three were faculty members.
Surveillance tests were administered to 2,492 individuals at the Legion Field surveillance site and in pop-up locations that included high-traffic areas on campus. Of those tested, 64 yielded positive results for a positivity rate of 2.57 percent once again, consistent with results from the previous week.