University Organizes Mass Covid-19 Testing for Students

The University of St Andrews has put in place a Covid-19 Testing Center which creates an opportunity for all asymptomatic students to get tested before Christmas and the inter-semester break.

The tests are free and voluntary, but students have been strongly encouraged to take it. This is primarily because younger people are more likely to be infected and carry the virus without symptoms. The Scottish Government recommends that ideally two tests should be taken 3-5 days apart.

The University Testing Center will be open from the 28 November to 18 December 2020. The testing will take place in the University Sports Center, and must be booked in advance. Booking can be done via MySaint from Thursday 26 November 2020.

Students will be offered a “lateral flow test.” This includes a swab from both the mouth and nose. Students will be notified of the result within 24 hours by NHS Test and Protect, either by email or text. St Andrews has been supplied with 15,000 tests by the Scottish Government.

A University spokesperson has stated, “As the end of term approaches, we hope this new testing regime will allow students to travel home for Christmas with the reassurance that they are not taking Covid with them.”

The University is encouraging students to travel as soon as possible if they test negative. This is to minimize the risk of getting the virus before departure. If a student tests positive, a further type of test will be asked to be taken by NHS Test and Protect. This is in order to confirm the result. The student will also required to self-isolate. The University will, however, not be informed by the test results.

The latest Covid numbers in St Andrews shows that since 1 September 2020, there have been 103 positive cases at the University. Among the affected were 93 students and 10 staff.