Author: Megan Ross

by MTU Flex Team

As part of the ongoing effort to provide the Michigan Tech community with the lastest COVID-19 testing data available, the Michigan Tech Flex Team has made changes to the Michigan Tech COVID-19 Testing Statistics webpage on the MTU Flex web site. 

The webpage contains testing information, including number of completed tests, the number of cases detected and the percentage of cases detected over the past 14 days. In addition, the dashboard contains the total number of completed tests and the total of cases detected since campus testing began in July.

The updated webpage breaks down the testing statistics into two separate categories —Surveillance Testing Statistics and Non-Surveillance Testing Statistics. 

Surveillance testing refers to testing on the population level, rather than on an individual level. Surveillance testing involves asymptomatic individuals and is used by health professionals to sample a certain percentage of a population to get a sense of whether COVID-19 infections are increasing or decreasing. Surveillance testing also lets health professionals know how well mitigation efforts, such as social distancing, are working. 

Surveillance testing numbers are taken from pooled testing results and are broken down into a seven-day moving total and daily testing statistics. Both charts list the number of completed tests during that time, the number of cases detected and the percentage detected.

Non-surveillance testing involves testing symptomatic individuals and those who are physician referred. It also includes those who self-report. Non-surveillance testing numbers, reported on a daily basis, include the number of completed tests on a given day, the number of cases detected and the percentage detected. Because non-surveillance testing involves individuals who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been referred by a doctor, the total number of completed tests is lower but the number and percentage of cases detected would be expected to be higher than with surveillance testing.

Sarah Schulte, general counsel and secretary to the Board of Trustees, said the revised webpage gives a clearer picture of COVID-19 testing at Michigan Tech.

“The Michigan Tech COVID-19 Testing Statistics webpage is now being updated daily Monday through Friday. The request for more frequent updates was made by employees and students, and we are pleased to be able to fulfill that request. In addition to cumulative data and data for the previous 14 days, the dashboard now displays the 7-day moving average for surveillance testing. It also lists daily testing data for both surveillance testing and non-surveillance testing.”

The statistics reported on the MTU Flex site reflect Michigan Tech testing only, for additional countywide resources, statistics and alerts visit the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.

by MTU Flex Task Force

Throughout the fall semester, as we continue to test more students through our surveillance testing program and more employees participate in asymptomatic testing, it is likely we will see fluctuations in our testing results. Because testing for the weekend has concluded, we’ve posted Tuesday morning’s report. The figures posted today reflect a sizable increase in the number of tests where COVID-19 has been detected. 

This increase reflects the efforts of our testing strategy. This past week, we concentrated testing on a few potential “hot spots” in an effort to isolate potential positive clusters. Much of last week’s testing focused on individuals in off-campus congregate living and those spending time with specific groups of individuals. 

by MTU Flex Task Force

On Saturday, August 29, Michigan Tech concluded its student baseline testing program. Over the last two weeks, 1,784 COVID-19 tests were conducted. The virus was detected in seven individual tests, for a detection rate of 0.39%. The University’s student surveillance testing program begins today, August 31.

One of the primary purposes of our baseline testing program was to catch asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 and contain outbreaks of the virus through contact tracing. Over the weekend, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) identified Theta Tau, an off-campus location, as a potential exposure site for COVID-19. Contact tracers are working diligently to identify and get in touch with those known to have come in close contact with the infected person. (Theta Tau is not a University-recognized Greek organization due to prior misconduct.)

by MTU Flex Task Force

Beginning Monday, August 31, temporary and regular employees who work 20 or more hours per week may receive up to two free asymptomatic COVID-19 tests on campus during the fall semester. Testing will take place in the MUB Alumni Lounge. To schedule a test, please visit the COVID-19 Testing Information for Employees web page. There are a limited number of appointment slots available each weekday. Union and non-union regular employees will receive release time of up to 30 minutes for a scheduled test.  

Please be aware that, prior to or after scheduling your test, you may receive an email from Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center (UGL), asking you to complete your UGL Patient Portal profile. More information about this process can be found on the COVID-19 Testing Information for Employees web page.

The test is painless and quick. The test sample is collected via a soft oropharyngeal swab, which is briefly applied to the back of your throat by a trained UGL testing staff member. The swab is then placed in a vial and sent to the testing lab on campus. The results will be made available electronically in your UGL Patient Portal, likely within two to three business days.

Employees who work fewer than 20 hours per week whose work puts them in regular, direct contact with the public or students should contact Human Resources if they are interested in being tested. Employee asymptomatic testing does not extend to student-employees, who will be part of the University’s ongoing student surveillance testing program.

The asymptomatic testing program should not be used by symptomatic individuals or individuals who have been in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19—those tests are always available and are covered by insurance. If you experience COVID-19 symptoms or believe you may have been exposed, call the UGL Clinic at 906-483-1860 and tell them about your symptoms before scheduling a test. You can also call your preferred health care provider, UP Health System Portage (906-483-1000), or Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital (906-337-6500).

by University Marketing and Communications

With the big testing tent set up, COVID-19 testing of new and returning students has received a lot of attention. Sarah Schulte, general counsel and secretary to the Board of Trustees and chair of the MTU Flex Task Force, said procedures for employee testing are being finalized. 

“Michigan Tech will pay for employees (20+ hours/week) to have up to two asymptomatic tests during the fall 2020 semester,” Schulte said.