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Concerns regarding the roll out of the new saliva-based testing and the implementation of the Safer Badgers app arise as students’ test out new Spring 2021 COVID-19 protocols
As the United States nears another year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Wisconsin reopens for a third semester impacted by the deadly virus. With over 6,000 dead in the State of Wisconsin since the start of the pandemic and two vaccines now available for select populations, eyes turn to the UW administration, its students and Dane County to see where this semester will go.
To test or not to test
For Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Lori Reesor, it’s all about testing.
In the fall 2020 semester, after an outbreak hit Southeast dorms Sellery and Witte in late September, UW Housing students had to complete regular tests to continue living in the dorms. But for everyone else the large proportion who don’t live in or work with Housing UW didn’t mandate testing at all. And while the rate of positive tests started to decline throughout the semester, over 5,735 students and faculty have tested positive to date through UW testing.
UW-Madison officials discuss new COVID testing requirements ahead of spring semester
January 21, 2021 9:14 AM Jaymes Langrehr
Updated:
MADISON, Wis. UW-Madison is updating its COVID-19 protocols ahead of students returning for the spring semester.
Undergraduate students living in certain areas downtown will be required to be tested twice per week using a new saliva testing method, and access to university buildings will be restricted to those who can prove they are up-to-date on their tests and have not tested positive.
“We learned from experience this fall that a high degree of testing followed by quickly isolating and quarantining those who test positive or were exposed is key to keeping our university operating and our community safe,” said Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Lori Reeser said Thursday.