The news comes after 7 vaccinated students tested positive for Covid in July.
Stanford University has just mandated a weekly Covid test requirement for all students, regardless of vaccination status. Beginning August 15, students living on campus, in off-campus university housing, or coming in person to campus, will be required to undergo weekly testing at no cost.
Although all major California universities including UCs and CSUs now require vaccination proof, Stanford is the first Bay Area university to mandate testing on top of that. Several other universities around the country have come to the same decision, including Harvard, Princeton, and Brown.
BREAKING: Stanford will require weekly COVID-19 testing beginning Aug. 15, regardless of vaccination status. The University is potentially the first in the country to mandate testing for fully vaccinated individuals. Story to come.
— The Stanford Daily (@StanfordDaily) August 11, 2021
The decision comes following 7 breakthrough Covid cases at Stanford in July, all of whom were fully vaccinated students who tested positive and had symptoms. The university had relaxed Covid restrictions just before this uptick, so the new testing requirements are in an effort to crack down on the more contagious delta variant.
Color Genomics will supply the weekly Covid tests, as well as entry testing for new arrivals to campus. New arrivals will also be required to complete 7 days of restricted activity upon arrival. All students must have already submitted proof of vaccination, and face coverings continue to be required in indoor public areas. Spouses, partners, and children 12 and older are recommended to get vaccinated, and are eligible for free campus testing with Color Genomics.
It remains to be seen which other Bay Area universities will follow suit and require Covid testing for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.