11/6: Penn State COVID-19 dashboard updated

Students urged to sign-up for departure testing and avoid large gatherings ahead of home football weekend
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As of Nov. 5 at University Park, there are 232 active student cases and 3,840 students have completed their isolation period and are no longer active cases.

Credit: Patrick Mansell

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State released its preliminary coronavirus testing results for the period of Oct. 30 to Nov. 5 on its COVID-19 dashboard today (Nov. 6). The University Park campus received 136 positive on-demand test results and nine positive random test results from student testing during the period of Oct. 30 to Nov. 5. As of Nov. 5 at University Park, there are 232 active student cases and 3,840 students have completed their isolation period and are no longer active cases.

There also are two new random testing positive results among employees at University Park for the period of Oct. 30 to Nov. 5.

Tests administered later in the week are still pending results, which can take 48 hours or more and will be included in the dashboard update on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

The data for the week of Oct. 23 to 29 also has been updated as additional test results came in and were validated. The dashboard, when updated and posted with new data, is only a snapshot at that one point in time and cannot be considered a final reporting as test results are still pending for the Oct. 30 to Nov. 5 time period.

“With two weeks of on-campus learning remaining for the fall semester, we are calling on all of our students to be forward-thinking with their actions so that they don’t unknowingly carry the virus home to their families and local communities,” said Penn State President Eric J. Barron. “That starts with signing up today for COVID-19 testing before departing campus for Thanksgiving break. It also means being even more vigilant in following all public health requirements for masking and social distancing, and taking extra care to limit interactions that carry a greater risk for virus exposure.” 

Students can schedule departure testing now for all campuses by using the Return Home Event on the Penn State Go App or by visiting virusinfo.psu.edu/departure-testing.

University Park On-Demand Student Testing Positive Results by Week:

University Park On-Demand Student Testing Positive Results 11 6 2020
Credit: Penn State

University Park Random Student Testing Positive Results by Week:

University Park Random Student Testing Positive Results 11 6 2020
Credit: Penn State

Commonwealth Campus Test Results

Since the last update on Tuesday (Nov. 3), the dashboard indicates the following new student testing results at Commonwealth Campuses:

  • Abington: one random testing positive for the period of Oct. 30 to Nov. 5 
  • Altoona: two on-demand testing positives for the period of Oct. 30 to Nov. 5
  • Mont Alto: one on-demand testing positive for the period of Oct. 30 to Nov. 5
  • Scranton: one on-demand testing positive for the period of Aug. 21 to 27

The dashboard indicates that Penn State Altoona has one new on-demand testing positive among employees for the period of Oct. 16 to 22.

All students who test positive are being placed in isolation and, through systematic University contact tracing, close contacts of the infected individuals are being identified and must remain in quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the infected individual.

Students who are concerned about COVID-19 exposure are urged to utilize the University’s health care resources to seek out testing and facilitate contact tracing. Students with health concerns should call the 24/7 Advice Nurse at 814-863-4463. At University Park, students can make appointments with University Health Services by using myUHS or calling the appointment line at 814-863-0774. Commonwealth Campus students should contact their campus’ health care services.

Penn State experts are continuing to track current trends and continuously monitoring local, state and national disease data. The University is working closely with officials from the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Health, as well as local public and private organizations, to carefully monitor the prevalence of coronavirus in Centre County to determine if the virus is moving from the campus community to the local community and, if so, to develop strategies to mitigate such spread.

To continue on-campus learning, work and other activities through the fall semester, it’s vital that students, faculty and staff at all campuses and in adjacent communities do their part to limit the spread of COVID-19 — and support the effort to “Mask Up or Pack Up.” The University urges everyone to continue to wear face masks, practice social distancing and avoid gatherings entirely.

For the latest updates and information on Penn State’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, including frequently asked questions and information specific for students, faculty and staff, visit virusinfo.psu.edu.