Southern Illinois University leaders say nearly 6,000 faculty, staff, and students have gone through COVID testing as the Spring 2022 semester begins, but they note thousands more must still get through the process.
We have been testing all faculty, staff and students as they return to campus. Today’s lines moved fast. People with appointments were in line no longer than 20 minutes. So far, we have conducted 4,800+ tests. Thank you, Salukis, for doing your part to protect the pack. pic.twitter.com/vCfsJt5wx8
— SIUC (@SIUC) January 11, 2022
Carbondale campus Chancellor Austin Lane says information - including positivity rates - from this new testing process will help him decide how the spring semester will go.
"You know, we do anticipate it going up, so that's why I think that first week will give us some time to adjust, and make sure that we're able to go face-to-face in the second week. That's our goal now - is to try and do that the second week."
As of Monday, the university reports nearly 3% of employees and 6.5% of students who tested were positive for COVID.
Most SIU classes are being held online this week, and Lane says he hopes to be back in-person next week. But he says leaders are watching the numbers, and will make changes as necessary throughout the semester.
