Conn’s testing program in the news

At Connecticut College, testing has become as routine as going to class, according to Microsoft’s MSN.com.

In a story about the testing programs at Conn and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, MSN highlighted that due to Conn’s robust testing program, the positivity rate is 0.18 percent. 

At Conn, all students and full-time faculty members on campus are required to get tested for COVID-19 every week, twice a week.

“It is very quick. They have become accustomed to doing the nasal swabs themselves while being observed,” said Victor Arcelus, dean of students at the College. “The testing routine gives us a lot of confidence.”

Last summer, Conn contracted with the Broad Institute lab in Massachusetts to conduct the testing and has conducted more than 39,000 tests to date. 

“In less than 24 hours, we are getting the result. The doctor gets the result, calls that individual who is positive and immediately starts engaging them in the process of separating from the rest of the community,” said Arcelus.

NBC CT also featured Conn’s successful testing program, stating that Conn’s robust plan has helped the College keep life on campus “somewhat normal during the pandemic.”