Free Coronavirus Testing Set For Rowan Students, Employees

GLASSBORO, NJ — Students and employees at Rowan University will receive free coronavirus testing before Thanksgiving Day, the university announced.

Saliva and nasal tests are scheduled to be available to all students starting the week of Nov. 16. Employees will be able to request home test kits. Students who test positive for the virus will be offered the opportunity to isolate on campus in Triad Hall, the residence building set aside for isolation throughout the semester. Rowan will continue to provide health monitoring and meals for students in Triad, according to the university.

“We know that the virus spreads most often among people who know each other—family members and friends,” Rowan University President Ali A. Houshmand said. “By offering testing, we can do our part to keep all members of our extended Rowan University family safe.”

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The announcement comes a week after state officials said a recent spike in new cases can be attributed to people gathering in private homes. Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy said people should avoid seeing anyone outside their immediate family or the bubble they’ve created. Read more here: Gov. Murphy: 1,182 New Coronavirus Cases, 18 New Deaths

On Tuesday, Murphy announced 1,663 new positive cases of the coronavirus statewide and 14 new deaths, all of which occurred in the last nine days. Nearly 500,000 new cases have been reported nationwide in the last week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

With students coming to Rowan from all over the country, the measure announced by the university on Tuesday is a step toward preventing the further spread of the virus from students going home for the holiday.

Currently, 4,100 students live on Rowan’s campus and approximately 2,000 students live nearby in Glassboro. Since the beginning of the semester, 575 students and staff have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to university officials.

Rowan Wellness Center Director Scott Woodside said details about how to register for the free testing will be announced soon.

“Members of our campus community, particularly our students, have done a great job in taking measures to limit transmission of the virus at Rowan,” Woodside said. “By offering testing before Thanksgiving, we hope to continue to help them and their families stay well. They must, however, be vigilant about maintaining good health and safety practices when they are around family and friends.”

Rowan’s Division of Student Life is offering a number of activities for students who remain on or near campus over the Thanksgiving break. This includes a Thanksgiving Day meal and outdoor, in-person programs, as appropriate based on public health considerations. Dining services also will be available throughout the weekend.