A partnership between Winthrop University and the USC College of Pharmacy will allow Winthrop to expand its testing capacity and help the university maintain face-to-face classes and organizational activities for the remainder of 2021.
The Saliva Assay Free Expedited (SAFE) test is free, quick, and noninvasive and results can typically be shared within 24-48 hours after the sample is collected. The PCR saliva-based test shows 97.5% accuracy in the early stage of infection. SAFE testing is only available to current students, faculty, and staff. (Staff includes Sodexo and Barnes & Noble employees.).
Everyone is encouraged to test at least once a month, per CDC guidelines. Register HERE (pdf - 58.1 KB).
You should not participate in SAFE testing if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. These include, but are not limited to, coughing, fever, sensory loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, headaches and/or sore throat.
A key factor in the rapid spread of COVID-19 infections across a community is that individuals can have the virus but not show any symptoms. In order to monitor potential spread of this sort, public health experts have consistently noted that regular and ongoing COVID-19 testing is crucial for the successful and sustained operations of campuses like ours where students live and learn in close proximity. SAFE testing will help in our goal for all in our community to “Be Positive You’re Negative.”
Participation is entirely voluntary. Students, faculty and staff who would like to participate in SAFE testing must bring their Winthrop ID to the testing site in McBryde Hall. Test samples will be collected and coded in a manner that ensures confidentiality and protects privacy. Positive test results will be reported to SC DHEC. Positive student test results will be shared with Health Services. Health Services will contact students who test positive to provide further instructions and begin contact tracing.
SAFE testing will be offered in McBryde Hall (enter at end nearest the Campus Center) on the following schedule. Times are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. unless noted next to the date below.
Total number of samples collected: 49
Positives: 0
Negatives: 49
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 32
Positives: 2
Negatives: 30
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 6%
Total number of samples collected: 28
Positives: 0
Negatives: 28
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 11
Positives: 1
Negatives: 10
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 9%
Total number of samples collected: 14
Positives: 0
Negatives: 14
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 7
Positives: 0
Negatives: 7
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 6
Positives: 0
Negatives: 6
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 15
Positives: 0
Negatives: 15
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 57
Positives: 4
Negatives: 53
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 7%
Total number of samples collected: 59
Positives: 0
Negatives: 58
Inconclusive: 1
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 37
Positives: 0
Negatives: 37
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 46
Positives: 0
Negatives: 46
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 15
Positives: 0
Negatives: 15
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 28
Positives: 0
Negatives: 28
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 30
Positives: 0
Negatives: 30
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 20
Positives: 0
Negatives: 20
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Total number of samples collected: 16
Positives: 0
Negatives: 16
Inconclusive: 0
Positivity rate: 0%
Note: Per UofSC College of Pharmacy, an Inconclusive Result means a sample did not meet internal requirements for testing. Common reasons for this result are insufficient sample volume, thick mucus, or other blockers that can cause interference with testing, for example: sports drinks, coffee, salt, toothpaste, food, or beverage within 30 minutes before testing.
Please also visit our COVID-19 Dashboard.