Penn State reported that 32 students at University Park tested positive for COVID-19 between Friday and Sunday, bringing the campus total to 69 since Aug. 14.
The university’s COVID-19 dashboard, updated on Tuesday, shows that over the three-day period, 910 asymptomatic tests yielded seven positive cases. Another 153 test results are still pending. Tests of 268 symptomatic individuals resulted in 25 positives.
It’s unclear precisely how many of the university test results have already appeared in the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s daily reporting for Centre County. Between Saturday and Tuesday, the health department reported 49 new cases in Centre County, 41 of which were in the State College and University Park zip codes
On Friday, the Penn State reported 27 students had tested positive over the previous seven days, but the dashboard update on Tuesday adjusted that to 34. Additional test results received from that period added two additional symptomatic cases for a total of 16 and five asymptomatic cases for a total of 18. Another 69 tests from Aug. 21-27 are still awaiting results
For the week of Aug. 14-20, there were three cases — two asymptomatic and one symptomatic.
The dashboard’s asymptomatic testing data includes daily surveillance testing of about 1% of the campus population, as well as testing of student-athletes conducted by Intercollegiate Athletics and results reported by private health care providers.
Beyond University Park, Penn State reported two cases at the Behrend campus in Erie and one case at Schuylkill campus last week.
No employee cases have been reported
University-wide, there have been 73 total student cases out of 6,632 tests performed since Aug. 7.
Penn State previously indicated the COVID-19 dashboard would be updated only of Fridays with data from the prior week. A news release on Tuesday said the dashboard will now be updated every Tuesday with weekend results and Friday with seven-day results.
“While we are seeing an uptick in the symptomatic positive numbers, this data reflects that our system is working as symptomatic students are seeking testing at University Health Services and we are reaching people through our contact tracing process,” Penn State President Eric Barron said. “If we are to remain on our campuses for the rest of the fall semester, we absolutely must continue to be diligent in taking personal steps to slow the spread of the virus.
‘This is a critical time. It’s vital that students do not travel over the Labor Day holiday weekend or at other times, whenever possible, so they do not contract the coronavirus elsewhere and bring it back to our campus communities. Students also are strongly urged to not host out-of-town guests, who, unbeknownst to them, may be infected.”
Penn State University Park COVID-19 results Aug. 28-30
Total Tests Performed: 1,331 (268 symptomatic, 1,063 asymptomatic)
Positive results: 32 (25 symptomatic, 7 asymptomatic)
Negative results: 1,146 (243 symptomatic, 903 asymptomatic)
Awaiting results: 153 (asymptomatic)
