This story was updated at 11:17 a.m. Nov. 13 with revised information about testing.
TCU officials are asking students to get tested for COVID-19 before they travel for the winter holiday, as cases have increased to almost 100 over the past week.
As of Nov. 10, there have been 105 confirmed new cases at TCU, more than the total recorded new cases for the entire month of October.
The spike in cases on campus corresponds to the situation in Tarrant County. The number of newly reported cases each week has been on the rise since September.
The week ending Nov. 7 marked a peak of weekly cases in the county, with 4,341 new confirmed cases and 1,062 probable cases. Cases in Tarrant County have overtaken what the initial peak was in July.
This comes as the U.S. surpassed 10 million cases and is setting single-day records for new cases.
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, TCU is offering free, rapid COVID-19 testing across campus for all students before the semester ends.
“With COVID-19, there are so few things that we know for sure, one of the things that we do know for sure, that health experts agree on, is that the more you travel, the more opportunity you have to spread or catch the virus,” Chancellor Victor Boschini said.
This voluntary testing process is part of the university’s goal to limit the spread of the virus to students’ family members as they leave campus. The voluntary testing procedures are an easy way for students to make sure it is safe for them to travel home.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Kathy Cavins-Tull said, “We ask all of our students to get tested and limit close contact with anyone before they travel home to help keep themselves, their families and the communities they are traveling to healthy.”
Getting tested for COVID-19
The process takes about 20 seconds. The test administrator will swab each cheek, the upper and lower gums, underneath the tongue and on the roof of the mouth.
Administrators are encouraging students to schedule appointments in advance to keep lines down and allow any student who wants a test to get one, though an appointment is not required. Students will need to show their driver’s license and to wear a mask before and after the test.
To schedule an appointment to get tested, click here.
“It is imperative that our community remain vigilant and proactive in our efforts to stay healthy. Remember to wear a mask, avoid large social gatherings, wash your hands and stay six feet apart,” Cavins-Tull said.
The testing will be held in the Lot 6 parking lot and will run 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Nov. 16 until Dec. 4. Results will be available to students between 24 and 48 hours after the test and will be delivered through either a text message or an email.
