Although 270 students have now tested positive for Covid since the start of the year, Gettysburg College will stop regular testing for students on Monday.
Saying that “positivity rates are on a steady decline and that the students who have tested positive this semester were predominately asymptomatic,” Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students Anne Ehrlich said in a campus email on Thursday the college would no longer routinely test students. Since classes began in January, every student has been tested once per week.
Image from campus Covid dashboard.
Erhlich said tests will still be available for fully vaccinated students who want one and that students who have an approved exemption or are not fully vaccinated will still be required to test once a week.
The campus also loosened restrictions on masking. “Effective immediately, masking is no longer required in residence halls. Masking is still required in all other indoor locations. We will continue to evaluate our masking policy in the coming weeks,” said Ehrlich.
The notice also said that any student who tests positive through an at-home test, local urgent care, or the hospital is required to notify the College of their positive test. Notification of a positive test enables the College to provide resources to ensure the health and safety of students and the community at large.