“Illinois State University is working with the University of Illinois to become a partner in their saliva-based test,” said John Baur, professor of chemistry and COVID-19 testing coordinator. Baur is leading Illinois State’s testing efforts. According to Baur, in order to implement the saliva-based testing on the Illinois State campus, there are a number of steps that must be completed. “The first step was achieved when the University of Illinois received FDA approval in recent weeks.
A second major step is building a CLIA-certified lab, which will be in the Science Laboratory Building,” said Baur, who added the goal is ultimately to test students, faculty, and staff at least once per week. “A unique aspect of the partnership with the University of Illinois Shield Illinois program is the ability to extend testing opportunities to other educational institutions, local nursing homes, and major employers in the area,” said Baur. The cost of setting up the lab is estimated at $1 million and will take at least 10 weeks.
Along with symptomatic testing at Student Health Services, asymptomatic testing for students is available at two on-campus testing sites that are currently located in the Brown Ballroom in the Bone Student Center and the former fire station at 602 N. Adelaide St., from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The most up-to-date information about testing locations is available on the Student Health Services website. Unfortunately, testing capacity does not allow for testing of faculty and staff at this time.
Illinois public universities record and report their COVID data differently, and at this point, Illinois State is doing more widespread testing than any state university in Illinois with the exception of the University of Illinois. “As our surveillance testing ramps up, we expect that expanded testing will result in a lower positivity rate,” said Baur, adding that University leadership is monitoring the situation closely.
