As part of Mercer University’s mandated COVID-19 testing of returning and incoming students on the Macon campus, 35 students have tested positive out of 316 tests administered from July 31-Aug. 3, including 29 student-athletes.
The 35 positive students are being cared for and will remain in isolation until being cleared by Mercer Medicine. Some have mild symptoms, while most are asymptomatic. Close contacts are being notified and advised to monitor for and report any symptoms to the Student Health Center, as well as being offered the option of receiving a COVID-19 test.
The University is requiring all incoming and returning residential undergraduate students on the Macon campus to be tested before moving into student housing or starting classes on Aug. 18. All other Mercer students, as well as faculty and staff, are required to complete a COVID-19 screening survey prior to the start of fall classes.
The testing program, which is supported by an on-campus processing lab that returns most results in one to two business days, is part of the University’s comprehensive COVID-19 plan.
Mercer will continue to execute and adapt its plan for mitigating the spread of coronavirus on its campuses in consultation with infectious disease experts in its School of Medicine and in accordance with federal, state, and local public health guidelines.