by MTU Flex Task Force
Friday on-demand testing in the basement of the Rozsa has been added from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for this Friday, January 21, and next Friday, January 29. All testing will be done on a walk-in basis—no appointments will be needed and there will be no cost. Results will be emailed and are typically available within 24-48 hours. The consent form can be filled out online between 8:30 a.m and 1 p.m. on the day you get tested.
Our moving 14-day total of detected COVID-19 cases stands at 291 active cases confirmed, up from 255 last Friday, January 14. Houghton County has a seven-day average of 66 confirmed cases per day (as of January 14). On-campus isolation is currently housing 15 individuals, peaking at 24 late last week. Wastewater sampling began on Monday and results should be available by this Friday’s end-of-the-week MTU Flex summary. We are updating the Michigan Tech COVID-19 Testing Statistics website twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays.
During this omicron variant wave, a number of factors will drive an increase in reported cases. Foremost is the high transmissibility of this variant. Other factors include over three times the testing capacity in our testing center compared to last year and an uptick in self-reported tests due to increased availability of at-home antigen tests.
Please continue to report positive test results, whether you are using an at-home test or a PCR test outside of our Michigan Tech testing center, using the Report a COVID-19 Test form.
A limited supply of antigen tests at the Department of Public Safety and Police Services are available for employees who become symptomatic during their shift. Tests will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The MTU Flex Team is currently looking to secure more antigen tests and will provide more information when they are available.
We strongly encourage all members of our community to monitor themselves on a daily basis for symptoms of COVID-19. Please be aware that if you are exposed to COVID-19, quarantine guidelines vary depending on vaccination status.