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The University of Maryland is expanding COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic community members beginning next week, according to a campuswide email Friday from University Health Center director Dr. Spyridon Marinopoulos.
The announcement marks a change to the university’s previous COVID-19 testing policy this semester. The previous policy reserved on-campus testing for unvaccinated individuals, those who were identified as a close contact to a positive case or people who were symptomatic. The policy also recommended that vaccinated individuals who are asymptomatic seek testing off-campus.
Beginning next week, the university will offer testing at Maryland Stadium Monday through Thursday. Testing on Monday and Thursday will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and testing on Tuesday and Wednesday will be available from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. So far this semester, the university has offered testing on Mondays and Thursdays.
Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, can be tested at the tent site outside the health center. This testing is available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
[UMD orders mandatory COVID-19 testing for four Cumberland Hall floors]
Additionally, the university is expecting unvaccinated students to wear KN95 masks. All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, should wear KN95 masks when around large groups, including in classrooms and dorms.
This guidance comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance on masks and respirators that can protect individuals from the virus.
The university purchased 50,000 KN95 masks and will distribute them starting Monday in dorms, Stamp Student Union and other locations.
The university also began updating its coronavirus dashboard daily, including self-reported cases, on Friday. The university previously had been updating the dashboard weekly.
Since Monday, 73 community members tested positive for the virus through the university’s testing program, according to the dashboard.
CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, a previous version of this story misstated that symptomatic individuals can be tested for COVID-19 at the health center weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This testing is available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
