COVID-19 task force testing procedures, explained

Elmhurst University administers a total of 80 randomized COVID-19 tests amongst the student body on a weekly basis, according to Phil Riordan, co-chair of the COVID-19 task force. 70 residential students, an equal number from each hall, and 10 commuter students are selected by the Office of Information Services. 

Students who receive positive COVID-19 diagnoses at off-campus testing sites are reported to EU by public health officials. 

“All positive results are reported to state and government agencies, followed by in-depth contact tracing,” Riordan stated. "[This way] the university is notified of positive results from tests that were performed off-campus.” 

Those who test positive off-campus are encouraged to inform the task force by using the COVID-19 self-reporting form.

“The task force does not have reason to believe people are under-reporting,” Riordan said in response to a question posed about the efficiency of the self-reporting process. 

Cases amongst residential students require the infected person and their roommates to be quarantined for 14 days in West Hall.

“An infected individual may not test positive for up to 14 days after being exposed,” Riordan explained about the mandatory 2-week isolation period. “For this reason, a negative result during this period does not guarantee that they are COVID free.”

An email sent out Monday afternoon alerted students and staff to a COVID-19 surge in the past week. The university reports that 8 people have tested positive since Oct. 12, at various testing sites. 

The online COVID-19 dashboard lists that as of Oct. 19, 5 have been tested positive on-campus at EU this month, with an overall number of 41 cases (including self-reported instances) since March.