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Kansas State University on Monday began conducting voluntary surveillance testing of students living in residence halls and Jardine Apartments for asymptomatic individuals.
The university has expanded its COVID-19 testing capacity at Lafene Health Center to include asymptomatic testing of faculty and staff as needed. The university already has the capability to test those individuals with symptoms.
Goals of the voluntary surveillance testing on campus will help provide a better sense of the virus’s prevalence on campus and help mitigate the spread of the virus among asymptomatic but COVID-19 positive individuals.
Student participation is not mandatory and is provided at no cost to students. Those living student housing will be in the first pool of testing candidates. Additional student groups will be invited to test over time.
K-State plans to test approximately 10 percent of students living in the residence halls each week. Emails will be sent out to students each week reminding them of the testing availability.
In addition to the surveillance testing, K-State also has enhanced its asymptomatic testing of students, faculty and staff. The enhanced asymptomatic testing at Lafene Health Center will be for individuals meeting specific criteria, including students in isolated areas of congregate living, people in certain academic programs where prolonged close contact occurs, and close contacts of positive cases.
Students, faculty or staff at the Manhattan campus should call Lafene Health Center at 785-532-6544 or their local health care providers to determine if asymptomatic testing is needed. They should call before arriving at Lafene Health Center because an appointment to complete testing may be needed. Students, faculty and staff at the Polytechnic and Olathe campuses should contact their local primary care providers or county health departments to access a testing location.
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