Bethany Begins COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Program

BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany College on Tuesday will begin testing 10 percent of its campus community for COVID-19 on a weekly basis.

The COVID-19 surveillance testing program is part of a mandate by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and West Virginia Health and Human Resources.

“This is part of Bethany’s strategy to mitigate and monitor the spread of COVID-19,” Vice President for Student Life Jerry Stebbins said in an email announcing the program. “The purpose of this testing program is to allow the college to monitor and provide timely intervention to those who test positive for COVID-19.”

This surveillance testing program uses a saliva test, and the random selection pool will include faculty, staff, students, and college contracted employees.

Testing will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays. Those individuals who are selected for testing will be provided further instructions on the Friday before their required tests.

Results take between 24 and 72 hours and will be emailed directly to the student, faculty, or staff member.

The saliva test is designed for asymptomatic individuals. Those who are experiencing symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath, cough, loss of taste or smell, should contact Student Health at 304.829.7567 to arrange private location testing.

The surveillance testing program is the latest measure adopted by Bethany as it follows guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. The college resumed in-person instruction in August with required face coverings and social distancing.

As of Friday, Bethany reported one active case and that student is quarantined on campus.

ABOUT BETHANY COLLEGE

Bethany College, founded in 1840, is the oldest private college in West Virginia. The Bethany experience focuses on academic excellence in the area of liberal arts and prepares students for a lifetime of work and a life of significance.