x
Breaking News
More () »

Ohio State students will be tested for COVID-19 twice per week

The testing will be required of students who live on-and-off-campus in Columbus for the next few weeks, starting on April 5.

Students at the Ohio State University will be tested for COVID-19 twice per week, according to an email President Kristina Johnson sent to the university community.

The testing will be required of students who live on-and-off-campus in Columbus for the next few weeks, starting on April 5.

Johnson cited the several COVID-19 variants, which are becoming the dominant strains at Ohio State, as a reason for the increased testing.

She laid out the following points in the email about what to do:

  • Students: Get tested twice a week. Beginning Monday, April 5, Columbus campus students who live on campus, attend in-person classes, visit campus for any reason or interact with other students and campus community members must schedule and complete two COVID-19 tests each week. Students can schedule their weekly appointments via MyChart. Instructions to schedule using MyChart can be found at go.osu.edu/MyChartInstructions. By increasing testing now, with cases still relatively low, we can prevent another rapid rise of cases. Ohio State’s on-site testing lab has significantly increased capacity this semester. Regional campus students remain eligible for weekly testing; that has not changed. 
  • Everyone: Get vaccinated as soon as possible. You can sign up now on the Wexner Medical Center website, or one of the thousands of locations, big and small, across the state. Check back often for open slots – they are frequently updated. The quickest path back to normality relies on all of us getting vaccinated as soon as possible. Visit the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website for more information about vaccination, including a link to the state’s search tool. 
  • Everyone: Do not gather with large groups. We want students to take the opportunity to relax during this week’s instructional break, but please do so safely.
  • Everyone: Continue to wear masks properly, over your nose and mouth. Continue to maintain physical distance. Continue to wash your hands frequently.

Johnson said positivity rates remain low and encouraged those on campus to continue to follow health and safety guidelines so that rate does not increase.

Before You Leave, Check This Out