COLUMBUS (WCMH) – The Ohio State University recommends students be tested for COVID-19 before they head home for Thanksgiving.
Beginning Nov. 16, the university will offer open testing for students living off campus.
All students will be able to be tested Nov. 23 and 24. OSU leaders said this is to help ensure no one brings the virus home to their families.
“Fundamentally, were trying to be good stewards,” said Dr. Bill Miller, from OSU’s College of Public Health. “We want to make sure that we aren’t sending infection out and we want to protect the families that our students are going home to.”
Students are also encouraged to sequester themselves after taking their test by limiting contact with others. The university is also suggesting students leave for wherever they are heading as soon as possible after receiving a negative COVID-19 test result.
“This sequestering is to protect yourself so that you don’t acquire an infection between the time that you’ve had the test and the time that you’re going home,” Miller said.
According to the university, results are typically delivered between 24 and 72 hours.
OSU plans to continue its surveillance testing program through the week of Nov. 16.
The Thanksgiving weekend also marks the end of in-person classes for the semester.
Campus leaders said they are ironing out the details of how students will be tested when they return next semester.