UA: Student Virus Testing Positivity Rate Less Than 1%

TUSCALOOSA, AL. – The University of Alabama on Monday reported as of Aug. 16 that less than 1% of the more than 25,000 students tested for COVID-19 had tested positive.

In a media release to begin the week, UA said 237 students tested positive for the virus out of the 25,948 who were tested at one of the state's 13 GuideSafe testing sites, through a mail-in test provided by the university or by a personal physician.

The news should come as positive for those in Tuscaloosa, as Patch reported last week that the positive tests would only be counted toward the student's hometown and not classified for Tuscaloosa County by the Alabama Department of Public Health.

The state health department on Monday reported 4,484 total COVID-19 cases for Tuscaloosa since the onset of the pandemic, with 85 deaths.

Students who tested positive were notified, according to the university, and must complete UA’s isolation protocols before returning to the campus community. All students must also show confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test before attending class.

Free testing will be provided at Coleman Coliseum Aug. 17-19 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in an effort to expedite testing for students.