Update: Student pre-arrival COVID-19 testing results show 99.26% negative rate

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University reported Wednesday (Aug. 19) that 99.26 percent of students who have received results of their COVID-19 tests are virus-free. Of the 30,117 results received as of Tuesday (Aug. 18), 223 tested positive for COVID-19, for a 0.74 percent positive rate.

As part of the Protect Purdue Plan, all Purdue students are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before arrival on campus for the fall semester, or if recently tested positive, have documentation from the Protect Purdue Health Center that they have completed a 10-day isolation after the test (asymptomatic) or 10 days after symptom onset before arriving on campus.

First-year students began arriving Friday (Aug. 14) for Boiler Gold Rush orientation programs. Additional students are arriving throughout the week in order to begin classes on Aug. 24.

A dashboard of the current campus status is being developed and soon will be posted publicly on the Protect Purdue website.

Students who test positive receive guidance from the Protect Purdue Health Center, which operates 24/7 with nurse case managers assigned to answer calls and work with students, faculty and staff. These students are instructed not to travel to West Lafayette or come to campus for any reason until they have self-isolated for 10 days and are medically cleared by PPHC.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 6 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/. 

Writer, Media contact: Tim Doty, doty2@purdue.edu

Journalists visiting campus: Journalists should follow Protect Purdue protocols and the following guidelines:

• Campus is open, but the number of people in spaces may be limited. We will be as accommodating as possible, but you may be asked to step out or report from another location.
• To enable access, particularly to campus buildings, we recommend you contact the Purdue News Service media contact listed on the release to let them know the nature of the visit and where you will be visiting. A News Service representative can facilitate safe access and may escort you on campus.
• Correctly wear face masks inside any campus building. Wear face masks outdoors when social distancing of at least six feet is not possible.