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Random student COVID-19 testing begins at the University of Kentucky

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Posted at 4:12 PM, Sep 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-18 16:23:06-04

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — On Friday, the University of Kentucky began a regimen of random testing among its student population as part of continued efforts to use science and data to drive decisions around keeping the community safe.

The announcement, recommended by UK's START team, follows a productive dialogue in which senior leaders engaged earlier in the week with Dr. Deborah Birx, the national coronavirus response coordinator.

Here are the details of the next steps:

  • Starting Friday, Sept. 18, UK Health Corps will begin notifying students that they have been selected for required random COVID-19 testing. This will only include students physically coming to campus.
  • These tests will be administered at no cost to students, through UK's existing student testing site at The 90 and at the new student testing lane at the community site at College Way.
  • This random testing will take place throughout the remainder of the semester.

Guided by recommendations from federal experts, as well as the START team of world-class clinicians and specialists, officials said they believe this initiative will continue to make the campus a safer place to fulfill UK's missions of education, research, service, and care. Data gathered through this process will further inform decisions.

Other steps the University of Kentucky says they have taken to try to slow the spread of COVID-19 include:

"Everything we do is conceived — and implemented — with one goal in mind: keeping you safe," UK President Eli Capilouto said.