A&M to provide COVID-19 test kits to all its campuses
As universities welcome students back to their campuses next month, Texas A&M System will provide COVID-19 test kits to all 11 of its institutions.
About 15,000 test kits will be sent monthly to the campuses, including A&M University San Antonio, according to a news release announcing a deal with the California-based national testing company Curative Inc.
A central testing location will be set up at each campus for students, faculty and staff to access at no cost. However, those with insurance are encouraged to get tested with their primary care physician.
“Ensuring the health and safety of our students is our top priority,” said John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, in a prepared statement. “Facilitating increased accessibility and availability of COVID-19 testing will help us mitigate the spread and help to protect each other by taking preventative and proactive measures.”
The length of the service agreement is optional, and the system may purchase as many as 20,000 tests monthly, said Sloane Williams, assistant vice president for marketing and communications. Each kit costs about $150, including lab testing, Williams added.
The tests are taken with a mouth swab. Students, faculty and staff will be able to make an appointment online to be tested.
A&M San Antonio enrolls about 6,500 students. About 300 of those live on campus.
The university will offer about 70 percent of its courses online and classes will be staggered to try to limit the daily number of students and faculty on campus.
“Texas A&M University-San Antonio is thankful for the COVID-19 testing kits provided by the A&M System, and we will use this valuable resource as an additional tool in our fall semester plans,” said Jeanette De Diemar, vice president for university advancement and external relations. “Like everyone else, we are closely monitoring the trending of this pandemic in our community, and we will act accordingly and adjust our plans. This increased testing capability will be a true asset in meeting that goal.”