WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Jan. 26, 2021 — West Liberty University began its spring 2021 semester with COVID-19 safety protocol in place including a return-to-campus, mass testing of students and employees. It was successfully carried out from Jan. 19 – 22.

Mandated by the state of West Virginia, this saliva-based test from Vault Laboratories was free and resulted in a total of 1,569 tests, according to Vault registration numbers. Results from these tests include:

•  40 positive results from the mass mandatory testing.
•  5 of the 40 were employees. 
• 3 of the remaining 35 positive student results were from students who tested positive within the past 90 days and should not have retested.
• 2 were inconclusive results and are being retested.

WLU is currently monitoring 43 students with active cases of COVID (includes the positives from mandatory testing) and has 33 students in quarantine. 

Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 2, WLU will test on a weekly basis, with surveillance testing. This mandatory testing method results in 10 percent of students being tested weekly. Those required to test will be notified of when they should report for testing via email and it will follow alphabetical order.

The surveillance testing continues throughout the semester from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Tuesdays in Blatnik Hall gym. It is the saliva-based test so students must refrain from eating or drinking for 30 minutes prior to the test. 

Thank you for your adherence to our COVID-19 testing policy, which is required by the state of West Virginia. Please continue to wear masks indoors, social distance and practice good hand sanitation. For more information, please visit westliberty.edu/coronavirus or email covid19@westliberty.edu.