University of Guelph to launch rapid COVID-19 testing program

A new rapid COVID-19 testing pilot program is set to launch later this month at the University of Guelph.

The tests will be used as part of routine testing for people required to be on campus and at two rapid mobile testing clinics on Feb. 26 and Feb. 27. It takes about 15 minutes to get the results.

The university is encouraging students returning from Reading Week to participate.

“By participating in this provincial pilot, the University of Guelph is taking the lead in accessing an important tool that will help us develop a robust COVID-19 screening program,” said University of Guelph president, Dr. Charlotte Yates.

“Our participation will also help in understanding how rapid antigen testing could be deployed more broadly to support provincial COVID-19 response activities.”

The test does not replace  any of the current safety measures already in place on campus.

It is intended to identify people who may be asymptomatic and who may be missed by regular screening protocols.

Should a student test positive, they will have a standard PCR Test for confirmation.

More than 4,000 rapid tests have been provided by the province to be administered by Student Health Services.