Results of COVID-19 Testing Pilot

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:14:58 -0400
covid19

Dear UMBC Community,

UMBC recently offered COVID-19 testing for faculty, staff, and students who are approved to be on campus this summer. University Health Services completed 320 COVID-19 tests on July 13 and 14, 2020. Of the 310 results received so far, five employees and two students tested positive for COVID-19.

In cases where positive results were found, affected individuals were asked to self-isolate for 10 days and consult with their primary care physician, even if asymptomatic. Employees who are self-isolating have been advised that they can access leave through the CARES Act by contacting Human Resources at covid19hrresponseteam@umbc.edu. University Health Services also connected with Baltimore County public health officials to complete contact tracing for positive individuals.

As UMBC approaches the fall, additional employees and students who are approved to work, teach, or live on campus will receive information about how to schedule a free COVID-19 test, participate in symptom tracking, and complete online health and safety training before coming to campus in order to support the health of our community. UMBC does not ask students, faculty, and staff who continue to work and study fully remotely to complete COVID-19 tests or to track symptoms.

We invite all UMBC community members to learn more about the Retrievers Return Roadmap, which includes information on safety priorities and resources for employees and students. Community members seeking to report a case of COVID-19 may do so through the Retrievers Return website. Please contact covid19@umbc.edu with questions.

Philip Rous, Provost
Lynne Schaefer, Vice President of Administration and Finance
Nancy Young, Vice President of Student Affairs