Purdue Partners With Colorado Company to Offer Rapid Testing for Students Ahead of Spring 2021 Semester

Rhea-AI Summary

Purdue University has partnered with Biodesix (Nasdaq: BDSX) to provide rapid COVID-19 antigen testing for over 20,000 off-campus students for the spring 2021 semester. Testing will occur from January 9 to January 22, with results available within 30 minutes via text. This initiative, part of the Protect Purdue program, aims to enhance health measures implemented during the fall semester.

Purdue covers testing costs, and different testing arrangements apply for students living on campus and faculty.

Positive

• Partnership with Biodesix enhances COVID-19 testing capacity.
• Testing for over 20,000 off-campus students at no cost boosts campus safety.
• Results available within 30 minutes via text improve accessibility.

Negative

• None.

Purdue University is partnering with a Colorado company led by a Purdue alum to offer rapid antigen COVID-19 testing for undergraduate, graduate and professional students taking classes on the West Lafayette campus who will be living off campus (not in the residence halls or in Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life housing) during the spring 2021 semester.

The Protect Purdue Health Center, as part of its comprehensive pre-arrival testing strategy, will team with Boulder-based Biodesix Inc. (Nasdaq: BDSX) to test more than 20,000 residential students for COVID-19 who will be living off campus during the spring semester from Jan. 9 through Jan. 22. Purdue is covering the costs of this test as part of its Protect Purdue initiative.

Students who will be living on campus (in residence halls or in Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life housing) for the spring semester and those who are returning to campus from outside the United States will be tested separately. Testing of faculty and staff is also conducted separately.

Results of the rapid test, which uses a simple nasal swab to collect the sample, are expected to be available within 30 minutes and delivered to students via text message with a link to secure results. Each participating student will receive instructions on how to register for testing, schedule an appointment and complete testing through an easy, secure online portal.

“Adding a COVID-19 rapid test capability to our comprehensive Protect Purdue pre-arrival testing strategy through this Biodesix partnership builds on the effectiveness of our efforts this fall to safely reopen campus for in-person classroom instructi

FAQ

What is the partnership between Purdue University and Biodesix about?

Purdue University is partnering with Biodesix to offer rapid COVID-19 antigen testing for over 20,000 off-campus students.

When will the COVID-19 testing take place for off-campus students at Purdue?

The testing will occur from January 9 to January 22, 2021.

How quickly will students receive results from the COVID-19 tests?

Results are expected to be available within 30 minutes via text message.

Who is responsible for the costs of the COVID-19 testing at Purdue?

Purdue University is covering the costs of the COVID-19 tests as part of its Protect Purdue initiative.

Will students living on campus be tested as part of this program?

No, students living on campus will be tested separately from off-campus students.