Seventeen positive COVID-19 tests were reported last week by the University of St. Thomas’ Center for Well-Being Monday, a decrease of one from last week. This is the fourth consecutive week that on-campus cases have dropped.

Two positive tests were reported at the Minneapolis campus, with the rest coming from the St. Paul campus. Out of the 17 positive tests, two came from employees.

According to the COVID-19 Dashboard, the Center for Well-Being is now open to testing asymptomatic individuals that wish to be tested for COVID-19.

“The Center will limit the number of these appointments to ensure testing capacity for individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19,” the dashboard message said.

Asymptomatic individuals looking to get tested can contact the Center for Well-Being on the day they wish to be tested, the dashboard said. Test results are being turned around within three days.

The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting 135,372 positive COVID-19 tests statewide, out of around 2.7 million tests administered. Monday’s daily update from the state showed around 1,600 new cases in Minnesota.

As of last week, there continues to be no evidence of classroom or lab transmission, and active cases within the community remain manageable based on the Key Considerations to Guide Decisions on Campus Operations.

The university is reporting more than 50% availability in quarantine and isolation spaces on campus and testing supplies and personal protective equipment on campus remain at sufficient levels. Contact tracers also remain available to interview between 90 and 100% of positive cases reported within 24 hours of test results.

The positive COVID-19 test numbers come from tests conducted at the Center for Well-Being and self-reported tests.

According to the university’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 “are expected to stay home until they have been fever-free for 72 hours (without use of medicine that reduces fever) and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and other symptoms have improved.”

The plan also requires 14 days of quarantine for community members who have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 data is released by St. Thomas weekly on Mondays and can be found on the university’s COVID-19 Dashboard.

Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.
Joey Swanson can be reached at swan5350@stthomas.edu.
Maggie Stout can be reached at maggie.stout@stthomas.edu.