OSU sees no positive cases stem from testing after wastewater shows traces of COVID
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Out of the 280 plus people tested for COVID-19 at a residence hall at Oregon State University, there are no positive cases to report on Tuesday night. This is after traces of the virus were found a week ago in wastewater by OSU’s TRACE team.
"So, we're attempting to identify why the wastewater indicated that result,” said Steve Clark, Vice President of Student Relations of Oregon State University.
TRACE is investigating why traces of the coronavirus showed up on a high marker in the wastewater samples of Sacket Hall and an apartment building north of campus. Whether it was a visitor who was there for a short time or not, OSU is glad the test results came out with such a favorable outcome.
Clark tells us the University just finished its fifth round of door-to-door sampling throughout the Corvallis community. Testing was completed on Sept. 26th and 27th, and results suggest three people per 1,000 in the community carried the virus on those days. And surprisingly, the prevalence in cases remains relatively low.
"Among those are our students and staff by engaging in public and health measures that are keeping a relative level of constancy. Unfortunately, the virus isn't going away but the good news is the virus isn't increasing dramatically," said Clark.
And during door-to-door testing trace field workers collected samples from 580 residents, 71 percent agreed to be tested.
"So, it is important regardless of whether it’s faculty, staff or student or a community member - it's up to all of us and staying focused on our personal health."
Clark says the TRACE team determined the wastewater shows the virus was in the general Corvallis area since July and is still there now. Results show it's not isolated to a particular community, but is found in many areas.
The trace team tests every other week on campus in an effort to monitor the virus among students and staff.
