Kent State University is expanding is COVID-19 testing capabilities by announcing a partnership with a major U.S. pharmacy chain.

Kent State has partnered with CVS Health to provide free testing for all students, faculty and staff starting Oct. 12 and continuing through the spring semester.

Testing is for both those who have symptoms and those who do not show symptoms (asymptomatic).

This testing also does not require previous authorization from a physician.

By Oct. 12, representatives from CVS will be on the Kent Campus weekdays until Nov. 20, and again during the spring semester, to provide sample testing for selected populations who have a significant presence on campus, including students living in residence halls and those taking in-person classes.

Every week, about 450 randomly selected individuals will be asked to participate in this screening, which is an important prevention tool to identify potential disease spread early.

Rapid testing will be used, and participants will know their results in about 15 minutes.

"Knowing who has COVID-19 enables us to isolate them from others and to stem the spread of this virus on our campuses and in the communities where they are located. Therefore, it is critical that you participate in this widespread screening testing if you are asked," the university said in a letter to students.

In addition, testing will be available anywhere in the United States at CVS Minute Clinics that conduct COVID-19 testing, which means all members of the KSU community, including those on Regional Campuses or those living or traveling out of state, will have easy access to testing.

Tests for COVID-19 are administered weekdays at the DeWeese Health Center on our Kent Campus. Anyone can arrange for a test by calling 330-672-2322. Tests are available at the DeWeese Health Center for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.

The university recently partnered with the city of Kent to host the Ohio Pandemic Testing Team, staffed by medics from the Ohio National Guard, which tested hundreds of students last Friday on the Kent Campus.

This state testing team will be back in Kent on Oct. 18 to offer free testing for all members of the community.
Our COVID-19 testing page offers additional information about these various opportunities.