KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Western Michigan University’s (WMU) Sindecuse Health Center has announced the launch of rapid-result antigen testing that detects active COVID-19 cases.
This latest testing option will help safeguard the University and greater Kalamazoo community, as well as assist the institution with campus return plans.
“The biggest advantage to WMU providing the rapid-result antigen test is to assess the local, immediate people around us and to keep everyone safe,” Sindecuse nursing director Jessica Slates said in a statement.
University students, faculty, staff, retirees and their dependents, along with Kalamazoo College and Kalamazoo Valley County Community College employees and students, are eligible to use the health center for antigen testing.
The test works by quickly detecting fragments of proteins found on or within the virus by testing samples collected from nasal cavity swabs. The test produces same-day results. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the test for nationwide use in early May.
Previous tests, which must be sent to testing facilities, have traditionally taken much longer to produce results. The antigen test, however, can offer results within 15 minutes. Test takers can access results either by phone or by accessing their online health center records.
Sindecuse gained access to testing equipment and supplies needed to provide this service with an appeal to the leadership team at Quidel Corp., a large American manufacturer of diagnostic healthcare products. It also earned the required FDA Emergency Use Authorization permission to administer the test. The reasons cited for granting special testing status to WMU’s health center include the population it serves, specifically:
- Younger people who may have active, but asymptomatic infection and spread the disease;
- People living in congregate settings such as shared apartments and residence halls;
- Vulnerable populations, such as those who are lower-income, people of color and international students; and
- Critical infrastructure employees, especially health care workers and first responders.
Officials say that by understanding how the virus is impacting students, faculty, staff and their dependents, crucial academic and operational decisions about the fall semester can be informed with data.
Positive test results will be reported to the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department, which will also ensure inclusion in state and federal counts. Sindecuse Health Center will follow up with those who test positive to ensure they are receiving care from their primary health care provider and are quarantining as required. The health center will also work with county health officials to identify those whom had contact with the infected person.
Testing is optional, although the University is adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines (CDC) by recommending those who regularly come in contact with many others get tested, no matter if they feel sick or not.
The CDC recommends those who work in critical infrastructure positions be tested even if they are not symptomatic due to the risk of exposure.
“You should get tested and repeat testing if it is negative and you become symptomatic in the future,” medical director Dr. Gayle Ruggiero said.
Officials add that the cost to take the test will depend on a variety of factors, including each person’s health insurance provider. However, many providers are waiving fees for COVID-19 treatment for those who are symptomatic and test positive for the virus.
Symptomatic people and those who know they’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive can make an appointment with the health center for a drive-up visit for the swab test. Those who are asymptomatic can schedule an appointment at the health center; entry will require an initial health screening.
Testing priority will be given to those who may have the most exposure to positive-testing individuals, such as critical infrastructure workers in the community and frontline health care workers, as well as symptomatic individuals.
More information about the testing can be found at this link.
